typical

Rarely typ·ic

[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

Other Word Forms

• typicalness noun
• typically adverb
• typicality noun
• nontypical adjective
• nontypicalness noun
• quasi-typical adjective
• untypical 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

The SSE tariff decrease means the annual gas bill of a typical household will reduce by about £94 per year.

From BBC

In the end, what distinguishes “Mare of Easttown” from the typical murder mystery and other prestige shows – besides Winslet’s superior performance – is the way it swims with and through grief.

From Salon

He often mixed silk and wool or silk and linen for a softer alternative to the heavy, stiff gabardines and worsted wools that were typical for men’s suits and jackets.

From Los Angeles Times

Firmus Energy has announced its gas price in the Ten Towns area will fall by almost 8% in April, which is the equivalent to £78 a year for a typical customer.

From BBC

Crispy spare ribs with a mango and fennel salad were delicious and inspired, despite my typical aversion to ribs.

From Salon

Related Words

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