typify
verb
typ·i·fy
ˈti-pə-ˌfī 
typified; typifying
1
: to represent in typical fashion : to constitute a typical mark or instance of
realism … that typified his earlier work—
Current Biography
Current Biography2
: to embody the essential or salient characteristics of : be the type of
Examples of typify in a Sentence
His heroic actions typified the courage of all the firefighters at the scene.
The decor typifies the elegance of royal residences.
He typifies what a professional athlete should be.
Gothic architecture is typified by soaring rooflines and stained glass.
Recent Examples on the Web
Midday acts Alvvays and Arlo Parks typified what the blog turned music festival has cultivated for nearly a decade.
—Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023
The Johnson Terrace project typified the emerging economic and political activism in the Black community nationwide.
—Brandi Kellam, ProPublica, 5 Sep. 2023
The system doesn’t typify one-note characters, just as real life shouldn’t.
—WIRED, 26 July 2023
The Collegium’s string players made the most of the explosive dynamic changes that typify the Mannheim School, and their period-instruments lent textural clarity to Richter’s complex counterpoint.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023
She’s based in Northern Kentucky, and her work days are filled with the bread and butter procedures that typify aesthetic surgery: breast implants, tummy tucks, blepharoplasties, and liposuction.
—Parizaad Khan Sethi, Allure, 24 Aug. 2023
In his Nobel lecture, Mr. Ahtisaari struck an undaunted, hopeful tone that typified his approach to diplomacy.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
It is typified by shortness of breath and by coughing up frothy, pink fluid.
—Allie Conti, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023
That incident — along with three fatal accidents in 2022 — typify the daily tension between the different worlds of Brady Street.
—Yash Roy, Journal Sentinel, 7 June 2023
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Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023
The Johnson Terrace project typified the emerging economic and political activism in the Black community nationwide.
—Brandi Kellam, ProPublica, 5 Sep. 2023
The system doesn’t typify one-note characters, just as real life shouldn’t.
—WIRED, 26 July 2023
The Collegium’s string players made the most of the explosive dynamic changes that typify the Mannheim School, and their period-instruments lent textural clarity to Richter’s complex counterpoint.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023
She’s based in Northern Kentucky, and her work days are filled with the bread and butter procedures that typify aesthetic surgery: breast implants, tummy tucks, blepharoplasties, and liposuction.
—Parizaad Khan Sethi, Allure, 24 Aug. 2023
In his Nobel lecture, Mr. Ahtisaari struck an undaunted, hopeful tone that typified his approach to diplomacy.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
It is typified by shortness of breath and by coughing up frothy, pink fluid.
—Allie Conti, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023
That incident — along with three fatal accidents in 2022 — typify the daily tension between the different worlds of Brady Street.
—Yash Roy, Journal Sentinel, 7 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'typify.' 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
1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near typify
Cite this Entry
“Typify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typify. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
typify
verb
typ·i·fy
ˈtip-ə-ˌfī
typified; typifying
2
: to have or include the special or main characteristics of
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