typify

/ˈtɪpɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɪpəfˌaɪ] /ˈtɪpɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɪpəfˌaɪ] /ˈti-pə-ˌfī How to pronounce typify (audio)/ (ame, mw)

typify — verb

  • typifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • typifieshe / she / it
  • typifiedpast simple
  • typifying-ing form

1. If a person, place, or thing typifies a group, it serves as a model case that sh

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

If a person, place, or thing typifies a group, it serves as a model case that shows what people usually expect from that group.

例句

The small bakery typifies the kind of family business found in the town.

typify + [class of business]

Camille's careful notes typify the study habits of top students.

同義詞
  • exemplify

    very close in meaning, but often a little more academic

  • embody

    stronger; suggests the quality feels fully present in the person or thing

  • represent

    broader and less formal; does not always imply being especially typical

文法句型

[person/place/thing] + typify + [group / way of life]

用法筆記

The subject is usually one member of a wider class, while the object names the class, style, or way of life it represents. Distinguish this from sense 2, where the subject is usually a repeated feature rather than a representative example.

常見錯誤

❌The label typifies shirts by size.
✅The label classifies shirts by size.
💡'typify' means represent what a group is like, not sort items into groups.

2. If a quality, pattern, or condition typifies something, it is one of the feature

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

If a quality, pattern, or condition typifies something, it is one of the features that make that person, place, period, or system easy to recognize.

例句

Long lunch breaks still typify office life in that government building.

feature + typify + [setting]

Frequent storms typify the weather on this part of the coast.

同義詞
  • characterize

    the most direct synonym; common when talking about features that mark a whole group

  • mark

    shorter and less formal; often used for a strong visible sign

  • define

    stronger; suggests the feature is central rather than simply common

文法句型

[quality/pattern] + typify + [place / period / system]

用法筆記

The subject is often a habit, condition, or repeated detail that marks a place, period, or system. Distinguish this from sense 1, where the subject itself stands as a representative case.

常見錯誤

❌Rain typifies here in spring.
✅Rain typifies spring weather here.
💡'typify' needs an object naming the whole situation whose usual feature you mean.