exemplify

/ɪɡˈzɛmplɪfaɪ/ formal

Say it: ig-ZEM-pluh-fy

1. verb To be a perfect or typical example of something.
His tireless work ethic exemplifies the spirit of the team.
2. verb To provide a clear example of something; to illustrate by giving an instance.
The teacher exemplified the grammatical rule with several sentences on the board.

📖 Seen in the wild

Her dedication to public service truly exemplifies the ideals of a good citizen.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ exemplify in a sentence

The city's modern architecture exemplifies its commitment to innovation.
Her career path exemplifies the opportunities available to those with specialized skills.
This case perfectly exemplifies the need for reform in the justice system.
In his speech, the CEO exemplified his points with success stories from the past year.
The novel's protagonist exemplifies the struggle between duty and personal desire.
These fossils exemplify a transitional stage in the species' evolution.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

epitomize typify illustrate embody represent demonstrate personify instantiate

epitomize · suggests being the perfect, concentrated summary of something abstract.

typify · implies representing the common or essential characteristics of a group or type.

illustrate · often means to clarify by providing a concrete example, story, or picture.

embody · suggests giving a tangible or visible form to an idea, quality, or feeling.

Opposites: obscure, misrepresent, confuse, contradict

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from the Latin 'exemplum', meaning 'example', combined with 'facere', meaning 'to make'. It literally means 'to make an example of', a sense that has remained at its core for centuries as it passed through Old French into English.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

perfectly exemplifyserve to exemplifyexemplify the qualities ofexemplify the best ofexemplify a trend

Exemplify is a formal word best suited for academic, professional, or official writing. While it can mean 'to give an example', its more common and powerful use is 'to be an example'. Be mindful of this distinction; using it to mean 'show' can sometimes sound overly formal. For instance, instead of 'This chart exemplifies our sales growth', 'This chart shows our sales growth' is often clearer and more direct.

Word family: exemplification, exemplary, exemplar

💬 Quick answers

What does exemplify mean?

Exemplify means to be a perfect or typical example of something, or to provide an example to illustrate a point. For instance, a dedicated nurse can exemplify compassion.

What is the difference between exemplify and illustrate?

Exemplify usually refers to being a quintessential example of a quality or concept (e.g., 'She exemplifies courage'). Illustrate often means to explain with a story, picture, or concrete example (e.g., 'He illustrated his point with a chart').

Is exemplify a formal word?

Yes, exemplify is considered a formal word. In casual conversation, you might use 'is a good example of' or 'show' instead.

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