Typical Meaning and Definition
Typical
Pronunciation
/ˈtɪpɪkəl/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
The quality of being commonplace, average, or expected; usual or expected behavior or outcome.
Examples
- This kind of behavior is typical of someone with that personality.
- The majority of people find it typical to do their shopping online.
Synonyms
- Average
- Usual
- Expected
Antonyms
- Unusual
- Exceptional
- Ordinary
Additional Information
A typical day for most people involves a routine that includes work, eating, sleeping, and leisure activities. In science, typical is used to describe data or observations that are representative of the majority. In everyday language, typical can be used to describe expected behavior, norms, or standards.
Etymology
The word “typical” comes from the Greek word “tupos”, meaning “imprint” or “type”, and the suffix “-ical”, indicating a relation to the thing denoted. The term was first used in English in the 16th century to describe something that is printed or stamped.
Usage Notes
Typical is often used in contexts where the speaker or writer wants to describe something as ordinary, average, or expected. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the term typical has been used in phrases such as “typical Tuesday” or “typical guy” to describe everyday behaviors and characteristics.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Typical of
- On a typical day
- Typical behavior
Related Words or Phrases
- Normal
- Expected
- Average
- Commonplace
Collocations
- Typical of
- A typical day
- Typical behavior
- Typical characteristics
Frequency of Use
Typical is a commonly used word in everyday language, appearing in over 5% of spoken language.
Common Misspellings
- Typicul
- Tipical
- Typikal