typify

[ tip-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, typ·i·fied, typ·i·fy·ing.

1. to serve as a typical example of; exemplify.
2. to serve as a symbol or emblem of; symbolize; prefigure.
3. to represent by a type or symbol.

typify

/ ˈtɪpɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to be typical of; characterize
2. to symbolize or represent completely, by or as if by a type

Derived Forms

• ˈtypiˌfier, noun
• ˌtypifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• typi·fi·cation noun
• typi·fier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of typify¹

1625–35; < Latin typ ( us ) type + -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of typify¹

C17: from Latin typus type + -ify

Example Sentences

Private equity investors — typified by firms like Bain Capital, Apollo Global Management, TPG, KKR and Blackstone — are different from venture capitalists, who provide a cash infusion to small startups and hope they blossom into the next Facebook.

From ProPublica

That also typifies the second season of the show itself, which has somewhat lost its own way, and would be wise to rediscover its original grimdark-with-a-dash-of-Skinemax spirit.

From The Daily Beast

Washington allowed an opening-drive score for the sixth time in seven games, and the final play typified the defense’s struggles.

From Washington Post

The idea behind The Emancipator, according to The New York Times, will be to bring new relevance to the 20th tradition of opinion-driven reporting typified by anti-slavery publications.

From Digiday

His hero, Gulliver, discovers race after race of beings who typify the genera in his classification of mankind.

From Project Gutenberg

It has long been the custom for advertisers in the continental journals to typify their wares.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore, when you fight for us you fight not only for yourself, but for everything you typify.

From Project Gutenberg

While men may not have intended to typify anything in the case, God did.

From Project Gutenberg

The fair, handsome youth, wrapped now in the blankets, seemed to him to typify all the Austrian qualities.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• embody
• epitomize
• exemplify
• illustrate
• mirror
• personify
• sum up
• symbolize