typical

[ tip-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of the nature of or serving as a type or representative specimen.

   Synonyms: usual, stock, average, normal

2. conforming to a particular type.
3. Biology. exemplifying most nearly the essential characteristics of a higher group in natural history, and forming the type:

   the typical genus of a family.

4. characteristic or distinctive:

   He has the mannerisms typical of his class.

5. pertaining to, of the nature of, or serving as a type or emblem; symbolic.

typical

/ ˈtɪpɪkəl /

adjective

1. being or serving as a representative example of a particular type; characteristic

   the painting is a typical Rembrandt

2. considered to be an example of some undesirable trait

   that is typical of you!

3. of or relating to a representative specimen or type
4. conforming to a type
5. biology having most of the characteristics of a particular taxonomic group

   a typical species of a genus

Derived Forms

• ˈtypicalness, noun
• ˈtypically, adverb

Other Words From

• typ·i·cal·ly adverb
• typ·i·cal·ness typ·i·cal·i·ty [tip-i-, kal, -i-tee], noun
• non·typ·i·cal adjective
• non·typ·i·cal·ness noun
• qua·si-typ·i·cal adjective
• un·typ·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of typical¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin typicālis, equivalent to Late Latin typic(us) (from Greek typikós, equivalent to týp(os) type + -ikos -ic ) + Latin -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of typical¹

C17: from Medieval Latin typicālis, from Late Latin typicus figurative, from Greek tupikos, from tupos type

Example Sentences

To scholars of authoritarianism, asserting a high degree of personal control over the military is typical of global strongmen in the mold of Syria’s Bashar Assad or Russian President Vladimir Putin.

From Los Angeles Times

And they should finance more than the typical 30% to 50% of affordable and supportive projects, which tends to leave developers spending years cobbling together the rest of the financing from other sources.

From Los Angeles Times

The environment of a typical studio is quieter and more intimate than a bustling gym.

From Los Angeles Times

While this contract was typical, the paid time it allotted wasn’t adequate to complete the work, which I would end up bringing home.

From Los Angeles Times

“They are not the typical tiger moms or strict matriarchs, like in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ or ‘The Joy Luck Club.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• classic
• common
• commonplace
• emblematic
• exemplary
• natural
• normal
• ordinary
• quintessential
• regular
• symbolic