typicaltyp‧i‧cal /ˈtɪpɪkəl/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective 
typical British weathertypical of This painting is typical of his work. This advertisement is a typical example of their marketing strategy.2happening in the usual way: On a typical day, our students go to classes from 7.30 am to 1 pm. Try calculating your budget for a typical week.3behaving in the way that you expect: Bennett accepted the award with typical modesty.it is typical of somebody to do something It’s not typical of Gill to be so critical. Mr Stevens’ appointment was a typical case of promoting a man beyond his level of competence.4typical! spoken used to show that you are annoyed when something bad happens again, or when someone does something bad againTHESAURUStypical a typical person or thing is a good example of that type of person or thing: · With his camera around his neck, he looked like a typical tourist.· The windows are typical of houses built during this period.classic used to describe a very typical and very good example of something: · It was a classic case of the cure being worse than the disease.· a classic mistake· The book is a classic example of great teamwork.archetypal the archetypal person or thing is the most typical example of that kind of person or thing, and has all their most important qualities: · the archetypal English village· Indiana Jones is the archetypal adventure hero.quintessential used when you want to emphasize that someone or something is the very best example of something – used especially when you admire them very much: · the quintessential guide to New York· Robert Plant is the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll singer.stereotypical having the characteristics that many people believe a particular type of person or thing has – used when you think these beliefs are not true: · Hollywood films are full of stereotypical images of women as wives and mothers.· He challenges stereotypical ideas about people with disabilities.representative containing the most common types of people or things that are found in something, and showing what it is usually like: · a representative sample of college studentscharacteristic very typical of a particular type of thing, or of someone’s character or usual behaviour: · Each species of bird has its own characteristic song.· What gives Paris its characteristic charm?· He played with his characteristic skill.· the characteristic symptoms of the diseasebe the epitome of something to be the best possible example of a particular type of person or thing or of a particular quality: · His house was thought to be the epitome of good taste.
WORD ORIGINtypical
Origin:
1600-1700 Medieval Latin typicalis, from Latin typicus, from Greek typikos, from typos; ➔ TYPE1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Dad forgot to mail the letter." "That's just typical!"
- "Is there a typical New York breakfast?" "Bagels and coffee."
- a typical American diner, with twangy-voiced waitresses and vinyl booths
- It's typical of Ramon to waste time when he knows we're already late.
- Kim's a typical teenager - she doesn't want anything to do with her parents.
- Mrs Quilley greeted the guests with typical charm and confidence.
- On a typical day, the president receives more than 4,500 letters.
- This is typical adolescent behaviour - part of the process of becoming independent from your parents.
- This painting is typical of Manet's portraits of Morisot - a beautiful woman, gazing sadly out at the viewer.
- With his shorts and camera around his neck, he looked like a typical tourist.
- A typical Congress sees about 90, 000 remarks between the chambers.
- A typical microcomputer will have 48K or 64K of memory i.e. 48 or 64 Kilobytes or 48,000 bytes.
- But you know Paster and Richards: typical gunship pilots.
- Lane and Roberts do not claim that the strike was typical of other strikes.
- The typical judge loves the rewards of office and tends to be imperious in asserting and defending them.
- The typical prisoner of nightmare, he could neither shout nor move.
THESAURUS
a typical person or thing is a good example of that type of person or thing: · With his camera around his neck, he looked like a typical tourist.· The windows are typical of houses built during this period.
used to describe a very typical and very good example of something: · It was a classic case of the cure being worse than the disease.· a classic mistake· The book is a classic example of great teamwork.
the archetypal person or thing is the most typical example of that kind of person or thing, and has all their most important qualities: · the archetypal English village· Indiana Jones is the archetypal adventure hero.
used when you want to emphasize that someone or something is the very best example of something – used especially when you admire them very much: · the quintessential guide to New York· Robert Plant is the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll singer.
having the characteristics that many people believe a particular type of person or thing has – used when you think these beliefs are not true: · Hollywood films are full of stereotypical images of women as wives and mothers.· He challenges stereotypical ideas about people with disabilities.
containing the most common types of people or things that are found in something, and showing what it is usually like: · a representative sample of college students
very typical of a particular type of thing, or of someone’s character or usual behaviour: · Each species of bird has its own characteristic song.· What gives Paris its characteristic charm?· He played with his characteristic skill.· the characteristic symptoms of the disease
to be the best possible example of a particular type of person or thing or of a particular quality: · His house was thought to be the epitome of good taste.
Longman Language Activatora typical person or thing · With his shorts and camera around his neck, he looked like a typical tourist. · "Is there a typical New York breakfast?" "Bagels and coffee." · On a typical day, the president receives more than 4,500 letters.· a typical American diner, with twangy-voiced waitresses and vinyl boothstypical of · This painting is typical of Manet's portraits of Morisot - a beautiful woman, gazing sadly out at the viewer.
formal someone or something that is representative of the group that they belong to is typical of it, and shows what the others in the group are like: representative of: · These paintings are representative of the kind of work being done by young artists nowadays.· Would you say that his views were representative of the majority of French voters?representative sample: · For our survey we asked a representative sample of voters to give us their opinions.
the archetypal person or thing is the most typical example of that kind of person or thing, and has all their most important qualities: · Indiana Jones is the archetypal adventure hero.· the archetypal pushy Hollywood mother
a classic example of something is a very typical and very good example of it: classic of: · The misunderstanding was nobody's fault and was a classic example of bad communication.· The invention of the X-ray was a classic case of discovering something by accident.· She made the classic mistake of trying to drive away without releasing the hand brake.
a situation in which things happen in a very typical and expected way: textbook case/example of: · The Apple Computer company was a textbook case for business schools about how two guys working out of a garage could change the world.· This is a textbook example of how Hollywood undermines its best ideas, by insisting on happy endings, even when they are completely implausible.
a fixed idea which most people have in their minds about what people of a particular type or from a particular country are like, but which is not actually true: · The film is full of stereotypes: a stupid blonde, a fat American tourist, and a gay man with huge muscles.stereotype of: · Charles quite plainly did not fit the stereotype of a successful, high powered businessman.racial/sexual stereotype: · They rejected the sexual stereotype of blue for a boy and pink for a girl, and dressed their baby in other colors instead.· the racial stereotype of Asian girls as quiet and hard-working
typical behaviour or qualities behaviour or actions that are typical of a person are just what you usually expect them to do, especially when this is something bad or annoying: · "Dad forgot to mail the letter." "That's just typical!"· Mrs Quilley greeted the guests with typical charm and confidence.· This is typical adolescent behaviour - part of the process of becoming independent from your parents.it is typical of somebody to do something: · It's typical of Ramon to waste time when he knows we're already late.
very typical of a particular type of thing, or of someone's character or usual behaviour: · Each species of bird has its own characteristic song.· Larry, with characteristic generosity, invited everyone back to his house.characteristic of: · This pattern is characteristic of the local architecture.
if you say that something is just what you'd expect , you mean that it is exactly what your idea of someone makes you expect them to do: · Jenny's house is very clean and neat, just what you'd expect.· He was annoyed, but he soon got over it -- just what you'd expect, in fact.
if you say that someone's action or behaviour is just like them, you mean that it is typical of them in a way that annoys you: · You have left everything to the last minute. That's just like you.it is just like somebody to do something: · It's just like Uncle Roy to invite us all to lunch and then forget to tell Aunt Sarah.· It would be just like my son to get the measles twice.
used for saying that you are not surprised that someone has done something or behaved in a particular way, because it's the kind of thing they often do: · He was late, of course, but that's Tim all over.· "That's Dora all over," interrupted Rose with a sniff. "Once she gets an idea into her head, nothing will stop her."
if you say that someone does something true to form you mean it is very typical of them, especially when it is something annoying: · True to form, Oliver turned up late and drunk.· They promised to pay by Friday and yes, true to form, the money didn't arrive till Wednesday.
you say someone would do something when they do something that is typical of them and you want to criticize them for it: · "Janice is going to be late for the meeting." "She would be!"· "And then Harry got drunk." "He would do, wouldn't he!"
usual and expected for a particular person or type of person or a situation - you can often use this in humorous contexts: · It was a typical student's room with the inevitable Van Gogh print on the wall.· Dinner started with the inevitable chicken soup.· In the subway I got cornered by the inevitable drunkard wanting to give me some advice.
an action or remark that is in character is typical of someone's character: · Julie said that? That doesn't seem to be in character at all.· His reaction was quite in character. The man had no respect for education, and it was no surprise when he took his son out of school.
to be a typical example of someone or something something that is a good , excellent , or perfect example of a group or type of thing, has all the usual and typical qualities of that group or type: · There are many beautiful Norman churches in this part of England. Iffley church is a good example.· If you want to know how not to make a video, this is a perfect example!· France produces some of the world's best dessert wines, and this is an excellent example.be a good/excellent/perfect etc example of: · The fox is a good example of a wild animal that has adapted to living in towns.
also characterise British to be typical of a person, place, or thing: · We approached the big empty square that characterizes the centre of Chinese cities.· Bright, vibrant colors characterize his paintings.· Robinson's photographs are characterized by the intense contrasts of dark and light areas, and the consequent loss of detail.
to be a typical example of a type of person, thing, attitude, or situation: · This letter typifies his loyalty and consideration.· Burke's arrogance seems to typify this government's approach.· Mrs Maugham's attitude towards the television typified her whole moral outlook.
also epitomise British to be the most typical example of a type of person, thing, attitude or situation: · His poems epitomize the feelings of the generation of soldiers that fought in World War I.· The auto assembly line epitomizes the conditions that contribute to employee dissatisfaction.
to be the best possible example of a particular type of person or thing or of a particular quality: · Christine's clothes are the epitome of good taste.· With her neat hair and her flat, sensible shoes, she was the epitome of the traditional librarian.
if someone personifies a particular quality, they are the perfect example of someone who has that quality: · The little boy seemed to personify the poverty and famine of his country.· To the school children, kindness and beauty were personified by their teacher Miss Appleby.
not typical belonging to a type or group, but not having the usual qualities of that type or group: · Such letters of complaint are atypical; the foundation usually receives nothing but praise and admiration for our work.atypical of: · This bird is atypical of most species here in that it does not build a nest.
not typical of a situation or of someone's character, and therefore surprising: · It was summer and despite the uncharacteristic chill in the air, the tourists were swarming the beaches. · With uncharacteristic modesty, Will explained his contribution to the development of the film medium.
if you say it is not like someone or is unlike them to do something, you mean it is not typical of them to behave in that way, and it is strange or surprising: · Cheer up Maria. It isn't like you to be as depressed as this.· It's unlike him to drink so much - I hope he is all right.· I don't understand why Mr Beanie is being so nice today -- it's just not like him.
an action which is out of character is not typical of someone's character and usual behaviour: · I can't believe Andrew wrote this letter -- it seems so out of character.· "Jane never said a word all morning." "That sounds very out of character to me."
not typical of the usual behaviour of a person or group: · The train's 20-minute delay, my Japanese friend informed me, was most untypical.· For some reason, and with untypical boldness, she took a step forward and walked into the room. untypical of: · The solemn tone of this story is untypical of her usual style.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY This advertisement is a typical example of their marketing strategy. On a typical day, our students go to classes from 7.30 am to 1 pm. Mr Stevens’ appointment was a typical case of promoting a man beyond his level of competence.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The technical details mean nothing to the average punter.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
This advertisement is a typical example of their marketing strategy. On a typical day, our students go to classes from 7.30 am to 1 pm. Mr Stevens’ appointment was a typical case of promoting a man beyond his level of competence.· This painting is a good example of his early work.
The technical details mean nothing to the average punter.· We may take Lord Wilberforce's argument as typical of the Lords' approach.· Certainly the experience of Phoenix, Stamford, and Rochester should not be regarded as typical.· Cara recognized it as typical West Riding segregation, the men together, the women likewise.· As I explain further below, aggressive behaviour is regarded as typical only of lowlanders and spirits.· It would be unwise to suggest that any of these remembered families can stand as typical.· The latter are worth noting as typical of the general philosophy claimed by many schools to underpin their project involvement: 4.· What about the people who wrote or told us life stories: how far can they be taken as typical?· The attacks on the Woodvilles should not be taken as typical of Gloucester's approach as protector.
· Setting out the structure So, to take a fairly typical example, let's begin to design a newsletter.· She had been, in other words, a fairly typical student.· From one fairly typical grammar school, studied by Colin Lacey, the fee-payers had almost disappeared as early as 1925.· The basic components we will describe are fairly typical.· Highlander's initial involvement with the Yellow Creek people followed a fairly typical pattern.· This reaction is fairly typical for children who have some problems with aggression but who none the less have good potential.· This palace is fairly typical of the building development in the Malá Strana.· Atwater was more colorful and more publicly vicious than most, but his tactics were fairly typical.
· Reeth is a fine Dales town more typical of an old East Riding town than a town of the Craven dales.· A more typical California viognier comes from Preston Vineyards.· Sills can be hundreds of metres thick but 10 m-30 m is a more typical range.· It is more typical of this group than of any other I know.· Dan Vandenberg witnessed jets in a more typical role.· Fifteen calls, most of them after midnight, would be more typical.· My point is, these opportunities might not have come her way had she played a more typical instrument.
· The most typical occurrence of these fossils is in dark, often sooty, black shales.· In the most typical design, the experimenter separates a group of subjects into two or more groups.· The most typical Byzantine form is the basket or cubical capital.· Current expenditure consists of those items that recur regularly: expenditure on wages and salaries is the most typical example.· Bracken and heather made rufous brown the most typical colour.· The triumphal arch or, as it was earlier called the monumental arch, is the most typical of all the forms.· The language work develops awareness and build students' knowledge in lexical and linguistic areas most typical of academic prose.· Humour is one of the most typical ingredients in Masefield's adventure stories as a whole.
· Didn't you spend the first session deciding whether to include that little pre-position? So typical.· What happened is so typical of the way earth-science ideas develop.· My family are just so typical.· Such stunts, so typical of Ellet, not only enhanced his own reputation but also focused public attention on his project.· It would be so typical if Jenny missed her while she was in the booth.· Finally, there is the secrecy and confidentiality which is so typical of public bureaucracies.· It was so typical of him, wanting to understand what he thought and why he thought it.
NOUN· The international automobile industry is a typical case where shortening the product development lead time is recognized as a valuable competitive weapon.· Dash Riprock was an excellent and typical case in point.· I mention him simply because his was a typical case.· One of the ongoing partisan battles over spending led to a typical case of gridlock as the legislative session ended last month.· A typical case was that of an arc welding operation.· A second typical case would be a civil action suit which will probably move slowly and take two to three years.· Siphoning money abroad in this way is a typical case to which the new legislation must have been intended to apply.· The Ministry of Posts, he says, was a typical case.
· A 1926 survey showed 13,446 passengers arriving at Charing Cross Station between 7 and 10 a.m. on a typical day.· The thirtieth of June was a fairly typical day.· A typical day at the office.· Into a typical day they fit caring for their children, working in the house and working for a wage.· A typical day includes offering information to dozens of tourists and picking up litter.· In this chapter we are able to witness a typical day in its life.· Some brand managers joke that after a typical day on the job, they are too full to eat dinner at home.
· A typical example was Gert, a complex boy who confused Bloomsbury House visitors.· A typical example is as follows.· The famous Newport scandal seems a typical example.· Three typical examples are given in Fig. 5.3.· A sizeable centre with ancient agricultural traditions, it is a typical example of the resourceful toils of the region.· In this chapter typical examples of the kinds of fossils most commonly encountered are illustrated by beautiful specimens.· A typical example of such a long-term health problem is arthritis.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- What? Amber didn't show up again? Typical.
WORD FAMILYnountypetypologyadjectivetypical ≠ atypicaltypologicalverbtypifyadverbtypically
1having the usual features or qualities of a particular group or thing: typical British weathertypical of This painting is typical of his work. This advertisement is a typical example of their marketing strategy.2happening in the usual way: On a typical day, our students go to classes from 7.30 am to 1 pm. Try calculating your budget for a typical week.3behaving in the way that you expect: Bennett accepted the award with typical modesty.it is typical of somebody to do something It’s not typical of Gill to be so critical. Mr Stevens’ appointment was a typical case of promoting a man beyond his level of competence.4typical! spoken used to show that you are annoyed when something bad happens again, or when someone does something bad againTHESAURUStypical a typical person or thing is a good example of that type of person or thing: · With his camera around his neck, he looked like a typical tourist.· The windows are typical of houses built during this period.classic used to describe a very typical and very good example of something: · It was a classic case of the cure being worse than the disease.· a classic mistake· The book is a classic example of great teamwork.archetypal the archetypal person or thing is the most typical example of that kind of person or thing, and has all their most important qualities: · the archetypal English village· Indiana Jones is the archetypal adventure hero.quintessential used when you want to emphasize that someone or something is the very best example of something – used especially when you admire them very much: · the quintessential guide to New York· Robert Plant is the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll singer.stereotypical having the characteristics that many people believe a particular type of person or thing has – used when you think these beliefs are not true: · Hollywood films are full of stereotypical images of women as wives and mothers.· He challenges stereotypical ideas about people with disabilities.representative containing the most common types of people or things that are found in something, and showing what it is usually like: · a representative sample of college studentscharacteristic very typical of a particular type of thing, or of someone’s character or usual behaviour: · Each species of bird has its own characteristic song.· What gives Paris its characteristic charm?· He played with his characteristic skill.· the characteristic symptoms of the diseasebe the epitome of something to be the best possible example of a particular type of person or thing or of a particular quality: · His house was thought to be the epitome of good taste.