prototypical

adjective

pro·​to·​typ·​i·​cal ˌprō-tə-ˈti-pi-kəl How to pronounce prototypical (audio)
variants or less commonly prototypic
: of, relating to, or being a prototype
prototypically adverb

Examples of prototypical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Maye’s prototypical size (6-4, 223), elite arm talent and ability as a runner are the combination of tools teams normally invest a top-five pick in. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Davis isn’t a prototypical No. 1 wide receiver, but those true blue top guys are few and far between. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 Standing 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds with a bushel of blond hair under his cap, Miller always profiled as the prototypical starter. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, McCarthy has the build and stature of a prototypical NFL quarterback and impressed with both his arm and legs for a Michigan team that won its first national championship since 1997 and first outright national championship since 1948. Craig Meyer, Detroit Free Press, 23 Jan. 2024 Guyton played right tackle for the Sooners, but has the prototypical size and premium athletic traits to switch to the left side in the pros. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2024 Scott Fowler: The quarterbacks of your best teams in Buffalo, Carolina and Indianapolis all had prototypical height of 6-foot-3 or taller: Peyton Manning, Jim Kelly, Frank Reich, Kerry Collins. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024 O’Neal was hardly your prototypical basketball player during his career. Mark Gray, Peoplemag, 20 Jan. 2024 Maye’s prototypical size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), elite arm talent and ability as a runner will cause some to question whether Williams is really the top QB in this draft class. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prototypical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prototypical was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near prototypical

Cite this Entry

“Prototypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prototypical. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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