epitome

American  

[ih-pit-uh-mee] / ɪˈpɪt ə mi /

noun

1. a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class.

   He is the epitome of goodness.

   Synonyms:

   quintessence, typification, model, exemplification, embodiment

2. a condensed account, especially of a literary work; abstract.

---

epitome British  

/ ɪˈpɪtəmɪ, ˌɛpɪˈtɒmɪkəl /

noun

1. a typical example of a characteristic or class; embodiment; personification

   he is the epitome of sloth

2. a summary of a written work; abstract

---

Other Word Forms

• epitomic adjective
• epitomical adjective

Etymology

Origin of epitome

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin epitomē “abridgment,” from Greek epitomḗ “abridgment, surface incision,” equivalent to epi- + -tome

Example Sentences

For the Olympics, the epitome of the Games is ethics.

From Los Angeles Times

To him, the ribbed vault and flying buttress were the epitome of rational construction.

From The Wall Street Journal

The dwelling has undergone several significant renovations since then, now serving as the epitome of the classic American abode.

From MarketWatch

“She’s kind and generous, she doesn’t even notice how magnetic she is and she just absolutely adores her husband. She’s the epitome of a woman in many ways.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The Renaissance revived themis and unleashed the scientific revolution as the epitome of techne; the Protestant Reformation made the nation-state and democracy the vehicles of both.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apotheosis
• embodiment
• essence
• exemplar
• personification