examples

IPA/ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/
KK[ɪɡzˈæmpəlz]IPA/ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/

examples — noun

  • examplessingular
  • examplesesplural

1. a thing, person, or situation that belongs to a larger group and shows what that

1.nounA2
Definition

a thing, person, or situation that belongs to a larger group and shows what that group is generally like — for instance, calling a grey kitten a typical example of a British Shorthair cat.

Example

The panda is a well-known example of a species saved from extinction by scientists.

example of + noun phrase

Rafael showed his class several examples of traditional Portuguese tiles from the 18th century.

countable: several examples of

Common collocations
  • give an example
  • provide an example
  • typical example
  • good example
  • prime example
  • perfect example
  • example of
Synonyms
  • instance

    more formal; used in academic or legal contexts

  • sample

    focuses on a small physical part that represents a whole

  • case

    a specific situation or event that fits a category

Grammar Patterns

example of + noun

example + that-clause

Common Mistakes

Can you give me an example' when asking for proof.
Can you give me an example of what you mean?
'example' illustrates a type; it does not prove a claim.

2. a sentence, phrase, or short piece of writing that shows how a word, rule, or id

2.nounA2
Definition

a sentence, phrase, or short piece of writing that shows how a word, rule, or idea is used in practice, especially to help someone learn or understand something.

Example

Adina finally understood the present perfect tense after reading the examples in her grammar book.

examples of how to + verb — concrete learning scenario

Nora looked at the worked examples in her maths textbook before attempting the homework.

worked examples (teaching context)

Common collocations
  • give an example
  • provide an example
  • see example
  • worked example
  • example sentence
  • example of how to
Synonyms
  • illustration

    more formal; often used in academic writing

  • demonstration

    a practical show of how something works, not just a written case

Grammar Patterns

example + of + how-to

example sentence

Common Mistakes

I need an example' (vague).
I need an example of how this rule works.
specify what the example should demonstrate.

3. used in speech or writing to introduce a specific item or situation that support

3.nounA2
Definition

used in speech or writing to introduce a specific item or situation that supports or explains what you have just said; most commonly found in the fixed phrase 'for example'.

Example

Many wild animals, for example, hedgehogs and badgers, are active mainly at night.

for example + list of specific animals

Soraya enjoys outdoor sports; for example, she goes rock climbing every weekend.

semicolon + for example + full clause

Common collocations
  • for example
  • for instance
Synonyms
  • for instance

    identical in meaning and usage; slightly more formal

Grammar Patterns

for example

for instance

Usage Note

This sense is a discourse marker, not a noun. It always appears in the fixed phrases 'for example' or 'for instance'. Do not confuse with senses 1 and 2, where 'example' is a countable noun.

Common Mistakes

For example the weather is hot' (missing comma).
For example, the weather is hot.
a comma usually follows 'for example' when it opens a sentence.

4. a person whose behaviour, attitudes, or achievements are considered good and wor

4.nounB1
Definition

a person whose behaviour, attitudes, or achievements are considered good and worth copying by others, especially children or younger people.

Example

Captain Mira stayed calm in emergencies and set a good example for her crew.

set a good example for + person

The older children at the school are expected to lead by example and help the younger ones.

lead by example (fixed phrase)

Common collocations
  • set an example
  • follow the example of
  • good example
  • bad example
  • lead by example
  • example to
  • hold up as an example
Synonyms
  • role model

    more specific; a person actively looked up to in a particular field

  • model

    broader; can refer to objects or systems, not just people

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

set an example

follow the example of

example to + noun

lead by example

Common Mistakes

He set an example for smoking' (positive meaning lost).
He set a bad example by smoking.
specify good/bad to show whether the behaviour should be copied or avoided.

5. an unusually severe punishment given to someone who has done wrong, intended to

5.nounB2
Definition

an unusually severe punishment given to someone who has done wrong, intended to discourage other people from committing the same offence.

Example

The general made an example of the soldier who had disobeyed orders by sentencing him to extra duties.

make an example of + person (fixed phrase)

The school expelled the student as an example to others who might consider bringing weapons onto campus.

as an example to others (warning context)

Common collocations
  • make an example of
  • as an example to
  • as a warning example
Synonyms
  • deterrent

    the effect that the punishment has on others, not the punishment itself

Grammar Patterns

make an example of + person

as an example to others

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used in the fixed expressions 'make an example of someone' or 'as an example to others'. It does not refer to ordinary punishment like a fine or detention.

Common Mistakes

The teacher made an example of the student by giving him extra homework.' (too mild).
The boss made an example of the employee by firing him in front of the team.
the punishment must be severe and intended as a public warning.

examples — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to something that represents a larger category, but they differ in scope and typical context. 'Instance' is the most formal and is common in academic or legal writing: 'We found several instances of data corruption.' 'Sample' usually refers to a small physical part taken from a larger whole for testing or analysis: 'The lab tested a blood sample.' 'Case' describes a specific situation or event that belongs to a broader category, often in medicine, law, or social science: 'In this case, the patient recovered quickly.' 'Specimen' is similar to 'sample' but is strongly associated with scientific or medical collections, such as a butterfly specimen pinned in a museum drawer. In everyday speech, 'example' is the broadest and most natural choice. For instance, you would say 'Can you give me an example of what you mean?' — using 'instance' or 'specimen' in that sentence would sound unnatural.

instance ↗sample ↗case ↗specimen ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'example' comes from Latin 'exemplum', meaning 'a sample, a specimen, a pattern'. This was formed from 'eximere' ('to take out, remove'), which itself is a combination of 'ex-' ('out of') and 'emere' ('to take'). The idea is of taking one thing out of a larger group to show what the rest are like. The word entered English through Old French 'essample' (later 'example') during the Middle English period. The verb form developed later, influenced by the noun, but has never been common in everyday use.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb