typical

adjective

typ·​i·​cal ˈti-pi-kəl How to pronounce typical (audio)
Synonyms of typical
1
a
: combining or exhibiting the essential characteristics of a group
a typical New England winter
their typical response
the typical college experience
b
: conforming to a type
a specimen typical of the species
2
: constituting or having the nature of a type : symbolic
typicality
ˌti-pə-ˈka-lə-tē How to pronounce typical (audio)
noun
typicalness
ˈti-pi-kəl-nəs How to pronounce typical (audio)
noun

Synonyms of typical

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regular, normal, typical, natural mean being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual, ordinary, or average.

regular stresses conformity to a rule, standard, or pattern.

the club's regular monthly meeting

normal implies lack of deviation from what has been discovered or established as the most usual or expected.

normal behavior for a two-year-old

typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality.

a typical small town

natural applies to what conforms to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being.

the natural love of a mother for her child

Examples of typical in a Sentence

It was his typical response. It was a typical Saturday night for us. We wanted him to have the typical college experience of living on campus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ryan was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2017 at age 29, later than typical for the disease. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Those experiences can create capability, yet typical screening processes may interpret them primarily as gaps or deviations. — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Amenities and experiences Vermejo isn't your typical mountain lodge or wilderness resort; there's no sprawling spa, gym, or swimming pool. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 The typical Masala y Maíz clientele is largely foreign, says restaurant manager Carlo Magno. — Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for typical

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin typicalis, from typicus, from Greek typikos, from typos model — more at type entry 1

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of typical was in 1609

Rhymes for typical

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Browse Nearby Words

typic
typical
typical bathyal zone
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Cite this Entry

“Typical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typical. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

typical

adjective
typ·​i·​cal ˈtip-i-kəl How to pronounce typical (audio)
: combining or showing the special characteristics of a group or kind
a typical school lunch
typically
-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

typical

adjective
typ·​i·​cal ˈtip-i-kəl How to pronounce typical (audio)
: conforming to a type
a typical specimen
typical symptoms of a disease
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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