model
1 of 3noun
mod·el ˈmä-dᵊl 
1
: a usually miniature representation of something
a plastic model of the human heart
also : a pattern of something to be made
2
a
: a type or design of product (such as a car)
offers eight new models for next year, including a completely restyled convertible
b
: a type or design of clothing
girls, self-conscious in their Paris models
Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles3
: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs
also : a computer simulation (see simulation sense 3a) based on such a system
climate models
4
: archetype
5
: an example for imitation or emulation
his written addresses are models of clearness, logical order, and style A. B. Noble
A. B. Noble6
: one who is employed to display clothes or other merchandise
has appeared as a model in ads for swimsuits
7
: a person or thing that serves as a pattern for an artist
especially : one who poses for an artist
His wife served as the model for many of his paintings.
8
: version sense 2
an experimental model of a bionic arm
9
: a description or analogy used to help visualize something (such as an atom) that cannot be directly observed
10
: structural design
a home on the model of an old farmhouse
11
: an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates
12
: animal model
13
dialectal British : copy, image
14
obsolete : a set of plans for a building
model
2 of 3verb
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling
ˈmäd-liŋ,
ˈmä-dᵊl-iŋ transitive verb
1
: to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model
modeled its constitution on that of the U.S.
2
a
: to shape or fashion in a plastic material
modeling figures from clay
b
: to produce a representation or simulation (see simulation sense 3a) of
using a computer to model a problem
3
: to display by wearing, using, or posing with
modeled gowns
4
: to plan or form after a pattern : shape
legislative institutions primarily modeled on the English pattern
5
archaic : to make into an organization (such as an army, government, or parish)
intransitive verb
1
: to work or act as a fashion or art model
Each contestant modeled in front of the judges.
2
: to design or imitate forms : make a pattern
The students are modeling in clay.
modeler noun
or less commonly modeller
ˈmäd-lər,
ˈmä-dᵊl-ər model
3 of 3adjective
1
: serving as or capable of serving as a pattern
a model student
2
: being a usually miniature representation of something
a model airplane
Synonyms
Noun
- miniature
Adjective
- archetypal
- archetypical
- classic
- definitive
- exemplary
- imitable
- paradigmatic
- quintessential
- textbook
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun She's building a model of the Earth for science class. a plastic model of the human heart We've improved on last year's model, making the car safer and easier to control. He bought one of the old 1965 models. We couldn't afford one of the fancy TVs and had to buy the standard model. We've developed a computer model of the economy to predict what will happen in the future. Companies are developing new business models. Verb The faces of the gods were modeled in white stone. They're modeling this year's new spring fashions. She got a job modeling shoes for a catalog company. a fashion model who has angered animal lovers by modeling fur coats Adjective Our university has a model program for training its athletes. why can't you be like your sister, who is such a well-behaved model child? See More
Recent Examples on the Web Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 9 Sep. 2022 Lauren Hutton, the 78-year-old model and actor who appeared on the cover of Vogue 26 times, is a discerning buyer of lingerie. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 In a new TikTok video, the model and My Body author posted a Stitch with writer Ciarra Jones, responding to Jones's clip about sexism in relationships. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2022 Next to that, the little model of a violin and the fleur-de-lis tile above it made by my two sons are among the most valued of my objects. Connor Goodwin, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 The actress and model was first romantically linked to the Oscar winner in early 2018 on a trip to Aspen, Colorado. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 In the mid-’90s, DiCaprio and Zang, a former model and actor who now runs a dog food company and lives the quiet life in Oregon, dated on and off as the actor skyrocketed to fame with roles in Titanic and Romeo + Juliet. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 7 Sep. 2022 The final designer to close out the evening was Clarence Ruth, founder of Cotte D'Armes and wearer of many hats including author, creative director, model, and artist. Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2022 Yasmin Benoit is a British model and multi-award-winning asexual activist. Yasmin Benoit, refinery29.com, 1 Sep. 2022 oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 The May impact event was larger than anything the team tested or would have been able to model while Webb was still on the ground. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 June 2022 The team was able to model the disk’s movement in staggeringly granular detail and found that these change-ups in speed would occur roughly every few thousand years, sometimes taking place in as little as ten years. Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 2 June 2022 Research has shown that juvenile confinement tends to increase the odds that a young person will be rearrested in the future, in part because they get exposed to older youths who model criminal behavior. Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2022 Research has shown that juvenile confinement tends to increase the odds that a young person will be rearrested in the future, in part because they get exposed to older kids who model criminal behavior. Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2022 This has led to the development of what has been termed neuromorphic computing hardware, which attempts to model the behavior of biological neurons in hardware. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2022 These future leaders need to be able to conscientiously model different approaches to discover an effective underlying brand and product architecture, regardless of the exact application. Stephanie Burns, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021 Using these different lines of evidence, the team was able to model that between 20% and 35% of Sun-like stars consume a few Earths’ worth of their offspring. Adam Mann, Science | AAAS, 30 Aug. 2021 Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 James Lesure will play Carter Hope, a successful lawyer who became a model FBI agent. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 27 June 2022 Tester notes: Our panel gave this particular model high scores across all categories, including comfort, support and sleep quality. Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping, 20 May 2022 Many of us responded by becoming model Chinese citizens, volunteering to disinfect the estate and help distribute food and essential goods -- all of which had to be delivered -- directly to people's doors. Serenitie Wang, CNN, 17 June 2022 The czar, whose legacy is broadly popular with the Russian public, is the model autocratic leader that Putin has long aspired to be, said Kyle Wilson, who served as an Australian diplomat in the Soviet Union. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 The czar, whose legacy is broadly popular with the Russian public, is the model autocratic leader that Putin has long aspired to be, said Kyle Wilson, who served as an Australian diplomat in the Soviet Union. Amy Cheng And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 10 June 2022 That is the model minority myth encapsulated, right? Serena Puang, BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2022 Most rumors are pointing to this being a Pro-model exclusive, but, as noted above, mass production is still a few months away. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 26 May 2022 See More
Noun
Before becoming a model and influencer, Bader worked in entertainment marketing. Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 9 Sep. 2022 Lauren Hutton, the 78-year-old model and actor who appeared on the cover of Vogue 26 times, is a discerning buyer of lingerie. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 In a new TikTok video, the model and My Body author posted a Stitch with writer Ciarra Jones, responding to Jones's clip about sexism in relationships. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2022 Next to that, the little model of a violin and the fleur-de-lis tile above it made by my two sons are among the most valued of my objects. Connor Goodwin, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 The actress and model was first romantically linked to the Oscar winner in early 2018 on a trip to Aspen, Colorado. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 In the mid-’90s, DiCaprio and Zang, a former model and actor who now runs a dog food company and lives the quiet life in Oregon, dated on and off as the actor skyrocketed to fame with roles in Titanic and Romeo + Juliet. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 7 Sep. 2022 The final designer to close out the evening was Clarence Ruth, founder of Cotte D'Armes and wearer of many hats including author, creative director, model, and artist. Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2022 Yasmin Benoit is a British model and multi-award-winning asexual activist. Yasmin Benoit, refinery29.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Verb
They are expected to model the right behavior, and their actions are critically important in the formation of a trust and respect-based relationship between employees and the organization. oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 The May impact event was larger than anything the team tested or would have been able to model while Webb was still on the ground. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 June 2022 The team was able to model the disk’s movement in staggeringly granular detail and found that these change-ups in speed would occur roughly every few thousand years, sometimes taking place in as little as ten years. Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 2 June 2022 Research has shown that juvenile confinement tends to increase the odds that a young person will be rearrested in the future, in part because they get exposed to older youths who model criminal behavior. Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2022 Research has shown that juvenile confinement tends to increase the odds that a young person will be rearrested in the future, in part because they get exposed to older kids who model criminal behavior. Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2022 This has led to the development of what has been termed neuromorphic computing hardware, which attempts to model the behavior of biological neurons in hardware. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2022 These future leaders need to be able to conscientiously model different approaches to discover an effective underlying brand and product architecture, regardless of the exact application. Stephanie Burns, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2021 Using these different lines of evidence, the team was able to model that between 20% and 35% of Sun-like stars consume a few Earths’ worth of their offspring. Adam Mann, Science | AAAS, 30 Aug. 2021 Adjective
Other videos showed the spread of games and entertainment at the event, which ranged from model car racing to denim jacket customizing. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 James Lesure will play Carter Hope, a successful lawyer who became a model FBI agent. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 27 June 2022 Tester notes: Our panel gave this particular model high scores across all categories, including comfort, support and sleep quality. Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping, 20 May 2022 Many of us responded by becoming model Chinese citizens, volunteering to disinfect the estate and help distribute food and essential goods -- all of which had to be delivered -- directly to people's doors. Serenitie Wang, CNN, 17 June 2022 The czar, whose legacy is broadly popular with the Russian public, is the model autocratic leader that Putin has long aspired to be, said Kyle Wilson, who served as an Australian diplomat in the Soviet Union. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 The czar, whose legacy is broadly popular with the Russian public, is the model autocratic leader that Putin has long aspired to be, said Kyle Wilson, who served as an Australian diplomat in the Soviet Union. Amy Cheng And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 10 June 2022 That is the model minority myth encapsulated, right? Serena Puang, BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2022 Most rumors are pointing to this being a Pro-model exclusive, but, as noted above, mass production is still a few months away. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 26 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus small measure, from modus
First Known Use
Noun
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 14
Verb
1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4
Adjective
1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing model
Kids Definition
model 1 of 3
noun
mod·el ˈmä-dᵊl
1
: a small but exact copy of a thing
2
: a pattern or figure of something to be made
3
: a person who sets a good example
Their daughter is a model of politeness.
4
: a person who poses for an artist or photographer
5
: a person who wears and displays garments that are for sale
6
: a special type of a product
Our car is a recent model.
model
2 of 3adjective
1
: worthy of being imitated
a model student
2
: being a miniature copy
a model airplane
model
3 of 3verb
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling
1
: to plan or shape after a pattern
This sports car is modeled on a racing car.
2
: to make a model of
He learned how to model a dog in clay.
3
: to act or serve as a model
She was asked to model for an artist.
Medical Definition
model 1 of 2
noun
mod·el ˈmäd-ᵊl
1
a
: a pattern of something to be made : a cast of a tooth or oral cavity
2
: something (as a similar object or a construct) used to help visualize or explore something else (as the living human body) that cannot be directly observed or experimented on see animal model
3
: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs
model
2 of 2transitive verb
modeled or modelled; modeling or modelling ˈmäd-liŋ, -ᵊl-iŋ
: to produce (as by computer) a representation or simulation of
model 1 of 3
noun
1
as in reproduction
an exact representation of something in greatly reduced size the dollhouse was a tiny, perfect model of the family's actual house Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- reproduction
- miniature
- replica
- imitation
- copy
- mini
- clone
- duplicate
- replication
- carbon
- dummy
- mock
- facsimile
- dupe
- carbon copy
- midget
- duplication
- reduplication
- pocket edition
- dwarf
- pygmy
- pigmy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prototype
- original
- archetype
- enlargement
- blowup
2
as in mannequin
a person who poses with or wears merchandise (as clothes) often for pictorial advertising the most famous models can earn thousands of dollars an hour Synonyms & Similar Words
- mannequin
- figure
- doll
- manikin
- supermodel
- form
- mannikin
- dummy
- spokesmodel
3
as in idea
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation she's the very model of the dedicated teacher Synonyms & Similar Words
- idea
- example
- incarnation
- ideal
- manifestation
- paragon
- classic
- paradigm
- exemplar
- pinnacle
- patron saint
- mirror
- principle
- role model
- phantom
- essence
- nonesuch
- nonpareil
- personification
- guideline
- pink
- archetype
- embodiment
- eidolon
- beau ideal
- standard
- gage
- pattern
- touchstone
- rule
- gauge
- summit
- zenith
- culmination
- apex
- apotheosis
- epitome
- acme
- peak
- quintessence
model
2 of 3adjective
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated why can't you be like your sister, who is such a well-behaved model child? Synonyms & Similar Words
- classic
- exemplary
- textbook
- perfect
- paradigmatic
- definitive
- unique
- archetypal
- excellent
- superb
- quintessential
- prime
- imitable
- ideal
- great
- archetypical
- exceptional
- terrific
- special
- wonderful
- fine
- choice
- stellar
- top
- flawless
- marvelous
- fantastic
- grand
- capital
- banner
- superior
- par excellence
- sterling
- nonpareil
- absolute
- wizard
- superlative
- fabulous
- splendid
- fancy
- dandy
- sensational
- nifty
- impeccable
- marvellous
- groovy
- primo
- unsurpassed
- crackerjack
- first-class
- swell
- first-rate
- top-notch
- keen
- tip-top
- high-grade
- bang-up
- A1
- jim-dandy
- A-OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- poor
- unsatisfactory
- bad
- substandard
- typical
- representative
- average
- normal
- inadequate
- inferior
- execrable
- atrocious
- ordinary
- deficient
- vile
- wretched
- disappointing
- low-grade
- failed
- mediocre
- second-rate
- second-class
model
3 of 3verb
as in to pattern
Synonyms & Similar Words
- pattern
- fashion
- shape
- condition
- gear
- match
- adapt
- suit
- customize
- fit
- tailor
- adjust
- correct
- conform
- doctor
- tune
- edit
- accommodate
- square
- readjust
- root
- put
- acclimate
- establish
- prime
- orient
- harmonize
- readapt
- acclimatize
- equip
- redesign
- attune
- recast
- modify
- transform
- familiarize
- prepare
- alter
- remake
- season
- acquaint
- rework
- orientate
- revise
- refit
- reinvent
- remodel
- revamp
- recycle
- rehearse
- redo
- convert
- settle
- reclaim
- reengineer
- redevelop
- refashion
- make over
- inure
- toughen
- refocus
- rejigger
- harden
- refigure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misadjust
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of model are example, exemplar, ideal, and pattern. While all these words mean "someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation," model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.
a decor that is a model of good taste
The meanings of example and model largely overlap; however, example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.
children tend to follow the example of their parents
The synonyms exemplar and model are sometimes interchangeable, but exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.
cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage
The words ideal and model are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.
never found a job that matched his ideal
Although the words pattern and model have much in common, pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.
American industry set a pattern for others to follow