model

[ mod-l ]

noun

1. a standard or example for imitation or comparison.

   Synonyms: original, mold, archetype, prototype, paragon

2. a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.
3. an image in clay, wax, or the like, to be reproduced in more durable material.
4. a person or thing that serves as a subject for an artist, sculptor, writer, etc.
5. a person whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.
6. a person employed to wear clothing or pose with a product for purposes of display and advertising.
7. a style or design of a particular product:

   His car is last year's model.

8. a pattern or mode of structure or formation.
9. a typical form or style.
10. a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, as in the sciences or economics, with any hypotheses required to describe the system or explain the phenomenon, often mathematically.
11. Zoology. an animal that is mimicked in form or color by another.

adjective

1. serving as an example or model:

   a model home open to prospective buyers.

2. worthy to serve as a model; exemplary:

   a model student.

3. being a small or miniature version of something:

   He enjoyed building model ships.

verb (used with object)

, mod·eled, mod·el·ing or (especially British) mod·elled, mod·el·ling.

1. to form or plan according to a model.
2. to give shape or form to; fashion.

   Synonyms: design

3. to make a miniature model of.
4. to fashion in clay, wax, or the like.
5. to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer.
6. to display to other persons or to prospective customers, especially by wearing:

   to model dresses.

7. to use or include as an element in a larger construct:

   to model new data into the forecast.

verb (used without object)

, mod·eled, mod·el·ing or (especially British) mod·elled, mod·el·ling.

1. to make models.
2. to produce designs in some plastic material.
3. to assume a typical or natural appearance, as the parts of a drawing in progress.
4. to serve or be employed as a model.

model

/ ˈmɒdəl /

noun

1. 1. a representation, usually on a smaller scale, of a device, structure, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a model train

2. 1. a standard to be imitated

      she was my model for good scholarship

   2. ( as modifier )

      a model wife

3. a representative form, style, or pattern
4. a person who poses for a sculptor, painter, or photographer
5. a person who wears clothes to display them to prospective buyers; mannequin
6. a preparatory sculpture in clay, wax, etc, from which the finished work is copied
7. a design or style, esp one of a series of designs of a particular product

   last year's model

8. 1. an original unique article of clothing
   2. ( as modifier )

      a model coat

9. a simplified representation or description of a system or complex entity, esp one designed to facilitate calculations and predictions
10. logic
    1. an interpretation of a formal system under which the theorems derivable in that system are mapped onto truths
    2. a theory in which a given sentence is true

verb

1. to make a model of (something or someone)
2. to form in clay, wax, etc; mould
3. to display (clothing and accessories) as a mannequin
4. to plan or create according to a model or models
5. to arrange studio lighting so that highlights and shadows emphasize the desired features of a human form or an inanimate object

model

/ mŏd′l /

1. A systematic description of an object or phenomenon that shares important characteristics with the object or phenomenon. Scientific models can be material, visual, mathematical, or computational and are often used in the construction of scientific theories.
2. See also hypothesis

Derived Forms

• ˈmodeller, noun

Other Words From

• model·er especially British, model·ler noun
• pre·model verb (used without object) premodeled premodeling or (especially British) premodelled premodelling
• un·modeled adjective
• un·modelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of model¹

First recorded 1565–75; earlier modell, from Middle French modelle, from Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin modellus (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin mod(ulus), a unit of measurement ( module ) + -ellus -elle

Word History and Origins

Origin of model¹

C16: from Old French modelle, from Italian modello, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus mode

Synonym Study

See ideal.

Example Sentences

But he said it's not his job to be a role model.

From BBC

This contrasts with the Western nuclear family model, where learning is often centered around parents or teachers in a formalized school setting.

From Science Daily

Morsut added: "We were happy that we had the computational model to really explore and get a sense of what are the possible different patterns, and how to move from one to another."

From Science Daily

The models revealed a unique internal construction of two opposing sound chambers that create physical air turbulence as the source of the screeching sound.

From Science Daily

The new model gives a new twist to an image processing technique called deconvolution.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• configuration
• design
• form
• kind
• mode
• style
• variety