typical

IPA/ˈtɪpɪkl/
KK[tˈɪpəkəl]IPA/ˈtɪpɪkl/

typical — adjective

  • typicalpositive
  • more typicalcomparative
  • most typicalsuperlative

1. having the usual features that make someone or something clearly belong to a par

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

having the usual features that make someone or something clearly belong to a particular group or category

Example

Sumin ordered a typical Korean breakfast of rice, soup, and side dishes.

a typical [nationality] [meal] — representative example of a category

The tall brick buildings with wide windows are typical of 19th-century factory design.

typical of [period/style] — identifying features of a group

Common collocations
  • typical of
  • a typical + noun
  • typical + nationality/group + noun
Synonyms
  • representative

    More formal; directly emphasizes the group-membership aspect

  • characteristic

    Focuses on defining features rather than statistical commonality

  • standard

    Emphasizes the expected or normal quality, sometimes less precise

Antonyms
  • atypical

    Direct opposite — not having the expected characteristics of a group

  • unusual

    Different from what is normal or expected; broader than 'atypical'

Grammar Patterns

typical of [noun phrase]

a typical [noun]

Usage Note

Frequently used with the preposition 'of' to introduce the group or category something belongs to: 'a style typical of the 1920s' or 'a reaction typical of teenagers'.

Common Mistakes

This is a typical error made by beginners.
This is a common error made by beginners.
'typical' means 'representative of a group', not 'frequently occurring'. Use 'common' for high frequency.
She is a typical beautiful girl.
She is a typical teenage girl.
'typical' describes category membership, not degree of a quality. Don't use it before adjectives describing personal traits.

2. describes behavior or situations that are annoyingly predictable because they ma

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes behavior or situations that are annoyingly predictable because they match your existing low opinion of someone or something

Example

Christopher forgot his passport again — that is so typical of him.

so typical of [person] — predictable negative behavior

The rain started just as the outdoor wedding began — totally typical for this season.

totally typical for [situation] — expected annoyance

Common collocations
  • so typical of [someone]
  • totally typical
  • it is typical that
  • typical! (exclamation)
Synonyms
  • predictable

    Focuses on unsurprising nature without the judgmental tone

  • expected

    Neutral tone; less critical than 'typical' in this sense

Antonyms
  • unexpected

    Surprising in a way that defies expectations, whether good or bad

Grammar Patterns

so typical of [person]

typical that [clause]

typical! (exclamation)

Usage Note

Often used in informal speech as a standalone exclamation (e.g., 'Typical!') to express exasperation. The negative meaning depends entirely on context — without context, the word is understood in its neutral sense 1. Distinguish from sense 1 by the presence of a complaint: if the speaker is annoyed, this is sense 2.

Common Mistakes

He is typical late for meetings.
He is typically late for meetings.
'typical' is an adjective; use the adverb 'typically' to modify another adjective or verb.
The weather is typical.' (when you mean 'the weather is typical of this season, and that's annoying')
The weather is typical for this time of year.
without 'of' or context, the listener will assume sense 1 (neutral).

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • typical of
  • a typical
  • that is so typical

Prepositions