Reading Theme:
Typical: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：standard (typical)
typical
/ˈtɪpɪkl/
adj.
Showing all the qualities that you expect from a particular person, thing, or group. It's like the textbook example.
standard
➕
/ˈstændərd/
adj.
Conforming to the standard, normal, or expected characteristics of a particular kind or group.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'typicus' (of a type), derived from Greek 'typos' (impression, model).
💡 Mnemonic
The TYPical example is a TYPe of model. Think of a typical type.
📖 Example
A typical smartphone today has a large touch screen, a powerful camera, and access to millions of apps.
A standard smartphone today has a large touch screen, a powerful camera, and access to millions of apps.
🔗 Collocations
typical example – a representative or standard instance
typical feature – a characteristic that is commonly found
typical of – having the usual qualities of
🔄 Synonyms
standard (adj.) – used or accepted as normal or average
normal (adj.) – conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected
representative (adj.) – typical of a class, group, or body of opinion
🚫 Antonyms
atypical (adj.) – not representative of a type, group, or class
unusual (adj.) – not habitually or commonly occurring or done
extraordinary (adj.) – very unusual or remarkable
🌱 Derivatives
typically (adv.) – in most cases; usually
typicality (n.) – the quality or state of being typical
typify (v.) – be characteristic or a representative example of
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'typicus', which itself came from Greek 'typos' (a blow, impression, model). In modern English, it is often used to describe the representative features of a group, such as a 'typical customer profile' in business or 'typical symptoms' in medicine.
Meaning 2：expected (typical)
typical
/ˈtɪpɪkl/
adj.
Used to say that someone or something behaves in the way you expect, often in a slightly disappointing or unsurprising way.
expected
➕
/ɪkˈspɛktɪd/
adj.
Happening or behaving in the way that is usual or expected, often implying a slight sense of predictability or disappointment.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My friend is always late-it's so typical of her to arrive after the movie has already started.
My friend is always late-it's so expected of her to arrive after the movie has already started.
🔗 Collocations
typical behavior – the usual or predictable way someone acts
It's typical of someone to... – used to say someone often acts in that predictable way
all too typical – very common in a way that is often disappointing
🔄 Synonyms
predictable (adj.) – able to be predicted; behaving in a way that is expected
characteristic (adj.) – typical of a particular person, place, or thing
customary (adj.) – according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances
🚫 Antonyms
unexpected (adj.) – not expected or regarded as likely to happen
surprising (adj.) – causing surprise; unusual or unexpected
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