model

1 of 3

noun

mod·​el ˈmä-dᵊl 

1

: a usually miniature representation of something

a plastic model of the human heart

also : a pattern of something to be made

2

a

: a type or design of product (such as a car)

offers eight new models for next year, including a completely restyled convertible

b

: a type or design of clothing

girls, self-conscious in their Paris models

—Paul Bowles

3

: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs

also : a computer simulation (see simulation sense 3a) based on such a system

climate models

4

: archetype

5

: an example for imitation or emulation

his written addresses are models of clearness, logical order, and style

—A. B. Noble

6

: one who is employed to display clothes or other merchandise

has appeared as a model in ads for swimsuits

7

: a person or thing that serves as a pattern for an artist

especially : one who poses for an artist

His wife served as the model for many of his paintings.

8

: version sense 2

an experimental model of a bionic arm

9

: a description or analogy used to help visualize something (such as an atom) that cannot be directly observed

10

: structural design

a home on the model of an old farmhouse

11

: an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates

12

: animal model

13

dialectal British : copy, image

14

obsolete : a set of plans for a building

model

2 of 3

verb

modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling

ˈmäd-liŋ,

ˈmä-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model

modeled its constitution on that of the U.S.

2

a

: to shape or fashion in a plastic material

modeling figures from clay

b

: to produce a representation or simulation (see simulation sense 3a) of

using a computer to model a problem

3

: to display by wearing, using, or posing with

modeled gowns

4

: to plan or form after a pattern : shape

legislative institutions primarily modeled on the English pattern

5

archaic : to make into an organization (such as an army, government, or parish)

intransitive verb

1

: to work or act as a fashion or art model

Each contestant modeled in front of the judges.

2

: to design or imitate forms : make a pattern

The students are modeling in clay.

modeler noun

or less commonly modeller

ˈmäd-lər,

ˈmä-dᵊl-ər 

model

3 of 3

adjective

1

: serving as or capable of serving as a pattern

a model student

2

: being a usually miniature representation of something

a model airplane

Synonyms

Noun

• miniature

Adjective

• archetypal
• archetypical
• classic
• definitive
• exemplary
• imitable
• paradigmatic
• quintessential
• textbook

Choose the Right Synonym for model

model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation.

model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

a decor that is a model of good taste

example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

children tend to follow the example of their parents

pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

never found a job that matched his ideal

Examples of model in a Sentence

Noun

She's building a model of the Earth for science class.

a plastic model of the human heart

We've improved on last year's model, making the car safer and easier to control.

He bought one of the old 1965 models.

We couldn't afford one of the fancy TVs and had to buy the standard model.

We've developed a computer model of the economy to predict what will happen in the future.

Companies are developing new business models.

Verb

The faces of the gods were modeled in white stone.

They're modeling this year's new spring fashions.

She got a job modeling shoes for a catalog company.

a fashion model who has angered animal lovers by modeling fur coats

Adjective

Our university has a model program for training its athletes.

why can't you be like your sister, who is such a well-behaved model child?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the cerebral artery flow model in the lab, Heit says, the milli-spinner was 100% effective at removing clots in more than 500 attempts. —Ani Freedman, Fortune, 27 June 2025

Given the affordable housing crisis, Vienna’s social housing model has been given enormous media exposure and has been studied by numerous advocacy groups with mixed views. —Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025

Verb

Last year, the dynamic Dutch duo launched the world’s largest sportfishing yacht, 165-foot Special One, modeled on traditional Carolina sportfishing convertibles but with a custom interior and a 30-knot top speed. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 June 2025

Ray tracing is a 3D rendering technology that models how light works to produce realistic reflections and lighting effects. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 June 2025

Adjective

Real-World Innovations In Urban Mobility Consider the concept of a model smart city, where congestion is minimized, energy consumption is optimized and public services run seamlessly. —Hemanth Volikatla, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

The risk assessment seeks to conclude whether the brothers — who for decades have been model prisoners who have focused on helping other inmates heal trauma— now pose an unreasonable risk to public safety if they are released. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus small measure, from modus

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 14

Verb

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing model

• animal model
• color model
• language model
• large language model
• model oneself after
• model oneself on
• role model
• scale model
• standard model
• Watson-Crick model

Rhymes for model

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• twaddle
• waddle
• remodel

Kids Definition

model

1 of 3 noun

mod·​el ˈmäd-ᵊl 

1

a

: a small but exact copy of something

a ship model

b

: a pattern or figure of something to be made

clay models for a statue

2

: a person who sets a good example

a model of politeness

3

a

: a person or thing that serves as an artist's pattern

especially : a person who poses for an artist or photographer

b

: a person who wears in the presence of customers garments that are for sale or who poses for ads for merchandise (as clothes)

4

: type entry 1 sense 2b, kind

our car is a late model

5

a

: a description or construction used to help form a picture of something (as an atom) that cannot be seen directly

a model of a DNA molecule

b

: a computer simulation

climate models

model

2 of 3 verb

modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling ˈmäd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to plan or shape after a pattern

2

: to make a model : mold

3

: to act or serve as a model

modeler noun

or modeller

ˈmäd-lər,

-ᵊl-ər

model

3 of 3 adjective

1

: serving as or worthy of being a pattern

a model student

2

: being a miniature copy of something

a model airplane

Medical Definition

model

1 of 2 noun

mod·​el ˈmäd-ᵊl 

1

a

: a pattern of something to be made : a cast of a tooth or oral cavity

2

: something (as a similar object or a construct) used to help visualize or explore something else (as the living human body) that cannot be directly observed or experimented on see animal model

3

: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs

model

2 of 2 transitive verb

modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling ˈmäd-liŋ, -ᵊl-iŋ 

: to produce (as by computer) a representation or simulation of