example

A1 Topic:General Vocabulary

US /ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/ UK /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #1528

Meanings

1

noun
A particular thing chosen to show what a larger group is like.

This painting is a fine example of his early work.
2

noun
A way of behaving that others can copy, whether good or bad.

Nelson Mandela set an example for many to follow.
3

noun
Something used to explain or demonstrate a rule or idea.

The teacher gave a clear example to explain the grammar point.
4

noun
A punishment meant to warn others not to do the same thing.

The judge decided to make an example of him.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a particular thing chosen... illustration instance

2 noun · a way of behaving that... model

3 noun · something used to explain... illustration

4 noun · a punishment meant to warn... lesson

More byspelexemplar exemplificatorexemplum

Word family

Forms examples

Derived forms counterexampleexamplelessexamplerexemplarilyexemplary exemplification exemplifynonexample

Related forms exemplar model pattern quotation template

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

for example
used to introduce something that illustrates a general statement

Preposition + noun

Simplified etymology

Example goes back to Latin exemplum, “sample” or “imitation,” from eximere, “to take out.” The related word sample reached English through French from the same root.

Etymology

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).

*h₁em- Proto-Indo-European example Middle English exemplum Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

General Vocabulary

External links

# example

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/
**Frequency rank:** 1528

## Meanings
1. A particular thing chosen to show what a larger group is like.
2. A way of behaving that others can copy, whether good or bad.
3. Something used to explain or demonstrate a rule or idea.
4. A punishment meant to warn others not to do the same thing.

## Examples
- This painting is a fine example of his early work.
- Nelson Mandela set an example for many to follow.
- The teacher gave a clear example to explain the grammar point.
- The judge decided to make an example of him.

## Synonyms
- byspel
- exemplar
- exemplificator
- exemplum

## Derived Forms
- counterexample
- exampleless
- exampler
- exemplarily
- exemplary
- exemplification
- exemplify
- nonexample

## Related Forms
- exemplar
- model
- pattern
- quotation
- template

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *h₁em-
- Root: example
- Root: exemplum

## Etymology
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).

## AI Etymology
Example comes 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).

## Topics
- General Vocabulary

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