Link Centre Dictionary

example

UK/ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/ US/ɪɡˈzam.pəl/ common

noun

1.

an item of information that is representative of a type

  • “this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome”
  • “there is an example on page 10”
Synonyms
2.

a representative form or pattern

  • “I profited from his example”
Synonyms
3.

something to be imitated

  • “an exemplar of success”
  • “a model of clarity”
  • “he is the very model of a modern major general”
Synonyms
4.

punishment intended as a warning to others

  • “they decided to make an example of him”
Synonyms
5.

an occurrence of something

  • “it was a case of bad judgment”
  • “another instance occurred yesterday”
  • “but there is always the famous example of the Smiths”
Synonyms
6.

a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding

  • “you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook”
Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English example, exaumple, from Old French example, essaumple, from Latin exemplum (“sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation, etc.”, literally “what is taken out”); see exempt. Doublet of exemplum and sample. Displaced native Middle English forebisne, from Old English forebȳsn; and Middle English bisne, from Old English bȳsn (modern English bizen).

Phrases

  • by way of example
  • example in point
  • for example
  • lead by example
  • make an example of
  • proof by example
  • set an example
  • Stein's example

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.