models
models — noun
- modelssingular
- modelsesplural
1. a person or thing that is so good at what they do that other people want to copy
a person or thing that is so good at what they do that other people want to copy them or use them as a standard to measure against
The city's public transport system is a model for other cities in the region.
model + for + noun (target of imitation)
Lena considers her older sister a model of hard work and honesty.
model + of + noun (quality demonstrated)
The architect's design became a model that many young builders tried to follow.
Kwame was called a model student for his excellent grades and kind attitude.
adjective: model student / model citizen (exemplary person)
- role model
- model citizen
- model student
- model of efficiency
- model for imitation
- poor example
something that fails to represent the ideal
Grammar Patterns
model + of + noun
model + for + noun
Usage Note
Often used in fixed phrases like 'model student', 'model citizen', 'model husband' to describe someone who perfectly represents the ideal of that role.
Common Mistakes
2. someone whose job involves wearing clothes, jewellery, or similar goods so that
someone whose job involves wearing clothes, jewellery, or similar goods so that shoppers, buyers, or artists can see how they appear when worn
The fashion model walked confidently down the runway in a long silk dress.
runway / catwalk model
Haruto worked as a model for a sportswear brand's summer catalogue.
work as a model for [brand]
Art students at the college hired a live model to pose for their portrait class.
live model (posed for artists, not fashion)
Sofia dreamed of becoming a model ever since she saw her first fashion show.
- fashion model
- runway model
- artist's model
- male model
- teen model
- mannequin
a plastic dummy used in shop windows, not a living person
- supermodel
a very famous and highly paid fashion model
- sitter
someone who poses for a single artist or painting
Grammar Patterns
work as a model
model + for + designer/artist
Usage Note
Can refer to both fashion models (who wear clothes on runways or in photos) and artists' models (who pose for paintings, drawings, or sculptures). The context usually makes the type clear.
Common Mistakes
3. a particular design or version of a product, especially a vehicle, electronic de
a particular design or version of a product, especially a vehicle, electronic device, or piece of clothing, that differs in some way from other versions of the same thing
Toyota released a new model of their hybrid car with better fuel efficiency.
new model of [product]
Chinwe checked the model number on her phone before ordering a new case.
model number (specific ID code)
This laptop is last year's model, so it costs much less than the current one.
The store carries three different models of washing machines at different price points.
- latest model
- new model
- older model
- model number
- entry-level model
- top-of-the-range model
Grammar Patterns
model + of + product name
model number
Usage Note
Used heavily in marketing and consumer contexts. 'Latest model' means the most recent version, and 'older model' usually implies less advanced features at a lower price.
Common Mistakes
4. a small copy of something, often built to show what the real object looks like o
a small copy of something, often built to show what the real object looks like or how it works; also, the design drawings from which a larger thing is built
The children spent hours putting together a plastic model of a Boeing 747 aeroplane.
model + of + [specific thing]
An architect showed us a scale model of the apartment building she had designed.
scale model (proportionally reduced replica)
The museum displayed a working model of an old steam engine from the 1800s.
working model (functional miniature)
Deepa followed the model carefully to sew the dress exactly as the pattern showed.
model = sewing pattern
- scale model
- working model
- model plane
- model train
- model building
- clay model
- plastic model kit
- original
the real thing from which the model is copied
Grammar Patterns
model + of + noun
scale model
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 5 (theoretical model): this sense refers to a physical, tangible object that you can touch and see, such as a model car or a building mock-up.
Common Mistakes
5. a simplified mathematical or computer-based description of a system, process, or
a simplified mathematical or computer-based description of a system, process, or situation, used to understand how it works or to predict what will happen
Climate scientists use a computer model to predict changes in global temperatures.
computer model (software simulation)
Dr. Okafor developed a statistical model that shows how disease spreads through a population.
statistical / mathematical model
The economist's model failed to predict the sudden drop in housing prices.
Physics students built a model to simulate how planets orbit the sun.
model + to simulate + [process]
- computer model
- mathematical model
- economic model
- climate model
- statistical model
- predictive model
- data model
- simulation
focuses on the process of running the model over time rather than the structure itself
- framework
a broader conceptual structure, less mathematically precise than a model
- theory
a more general explanation; a model is usually a specific mathematical version of a theory
Grammar Patterns
model + of + noun (abstract)
mathematical model
computer model
Usage Note
Unlike sense 4 (physical replica), this sense is abstract — you cannot touch a theoretical model. Common in academic and technical writing about economics, climate, biology, and data science.
Common Mistakes
models — verb
- modelspresent simple I / you / we / they
- modelses3rd person singular
- modelsing-ing form
- modelsedpast simple
1. to wear and show clothes, jewellery, or other products so that people can see th
to wear and show clothes, jewellery, or other products so that people can see them and decide whether to buy them; to pose for an artist or photographer
Theo modelled for a local clothing brand during the summer fashion week.
model + for + [brand]
Yuna has been modelling since she was sixteen and has done shoots for three magazines.
Fatima modelled a beautiful gold necklace at the jewellery launch party.
model + [product] (transitive: display a specific item)
The painter asked his friend to model for a portrait of a woman reading.
model + for + [artist/purpose] (pose for art)
- model for
- model clothes
- modelled for a magazine
- model on the runway
Grammar Patterns
model + for + designer/brand
model + clothes/adverb
Usage Note
When used transitively (model + object), it means 'wear and display a specific item'. When used intransitively (model for someone), it describes the job or activity in general.
Common Mistakes
2. to make a physical or digital copy of something, or to create something by shapi
to make a physical or digital copy of something, or to create something by shaping a material such as clay; also, to design or plan something using something else as a guide
The sculptor modelled a horse out of clay using only his hands and basic tools.
model + object + out of + [material]
Engineers modelled the bridge on a famous structure from ancient Rome.
model + object + on/after + [source of inspiration]
Amara used special software to model the new kitchen layout before any building began.
digital modelling: 3D software simulation
The new school curriculum was modelled after successful programmes used in Finland.
passive: be modelled after/on [template]
- model after
- model on
- model in clay
- model in 3D
- modelled on the original
- shape
physical forming of materials; less about planning, more about hands-on work
- simulate
to represent a system's behaviour over time, usually by computer
- sculpt
specifically carving or moulding in three dimensions
- design
planning the look or function; 'model' adds the idea of creating a physical or digital version
Grammar Patterns
model + object + after/on + noun
model + object + in + material
model + object
Usage Note
Common in the passive voice with 'on' or 'after' to describe how something was designed based on a template (e.g., 'The system is modelled on the Japanese approach'). 'Modelled after' is more common in American English; 'modelled on' is more common in British English.
Common Mistakes
models — adjective
- modelspositive
- more modelscomparative
- most modelssuperlative
1. serving as an excellent example of something because of being very good or perfe
serving as an excellent example of something because of being very good or perfect in that quality; used to describe a person or thing that others should try to copy
The school recognised Mei-Lin as a model student for her outstanding academic record.
model student / model citizen (fixed phrase)
Mr. Chen runs a model farm that uses environmentally friendly methods other farmers admire.
model + noun (example worthy of imitation)
The teenager was described as a model daughter who always helped at home.
The fire department created a model training programme that schools later copied.
- model student
- model citizen
- model employee
- model parent
- model farm
- model prison
- poor
low quality; not serving as a good example
Grammar Patterns
model + noun
Usage Note
Used only before a noun (attributive position), not after linking verbs like 'is' or 'seems'. You can say 'a model employee' but NOT 'the employee is model'.
Common Mistakes
2. made in a smaller size than the real thing, usually as a copy for display, study
made in a smaller size than the real thing, usually as a copy for display, study, or play
The exhibition featured a model railway that ran through tiny villages and forests.
model railway / model train (hobby context)
Kavya's father built a model ship that took him almost two years to complete.
The town's historical society created a model village showing how the area looked in 1800.
model village (miniature representation of a real place)
Omar collected model aeroplanes and hung them from the ceiling of his bedroom.
- model railway
- model car
- model airplane
- model village
- model ship
- model building
- full-size
life-sized, not reduced
Grammar Patterns
model + noun
Usage Note
Compare with sense 4 of the noun (PHYSICAL REPLICA). As an adjective, 'model' comes directly before the noun ('model car'), while the noun sense requires 'a model of a car'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words describe something that others use as a reference, but they differ in emphasis. 'Example' is the most general: any instance can serve as an example, whether good or bad. 'Ideal' adds the notion of perfection — an ideal is the best possible version, often a mental concept rather than a real thing. 'Standard' focuses on measurement: it is the benchmark against which other things are judged, and it often comes from an authority (e.g., industry standard). 'Prototype' is the first working version from which later copies are developed, common in engineering and product design. 'Model' (noun/1) sits between 'example' and 'ideal': it is a real person or thing that is so good it deserves to be copied. For instance, a model student is a real student, not a theoretical ideal; a prototype phone is functional, but not necessarily the best example of its type.
Common collocations
Nouns
- role model
- model railway
- model citizen
- model number
- scale model
- computer model
- fashion model
- model student
Adverbs
- closely modelled
- loosely based / modelled
- directly modelled
Phrases
- model of efficiency
- model of consistency
- latest model
- role model for
- serve as a model
- set a model
Prepositions
- model for
- model of
- model after
- model on
Etymology
The word 'model' entered English in the late 1500s from French 'modelle', which came from Italian 'modello'. The Italian word traces back to Latin 'modulus', meaning a small measure or standard. 'Modulus' itself is a diminutive of 'modus', which means 'measure, manner, or way'. The original sense was a plan or design for something to be built — a sense that survives today in architectural models. Over time, the meaning expanded to include people who serve as examples (model citizens), people who display fashion (fashion models), and abstract descriptions of systems (scientific models).
First known use
1570
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 14 Verb