typical

1 of 2

adjective

typ·​i·​cal ˈti-pi-kəl 

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 

noun

typicalness

ˈti-pi-kəl-nəs 

noun

typicality

2 of 2

noun

typ·​i·​cal·​i·​ty ˌtipəˈkalətē 

-lətē, 

-i

plural -es

: typicalness

Synonyms of typical

Adjective

• normal
• average
• standard
• usual
• true

Choose the Right Synonym for typical

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

The typical analysis of our continent — low growth, little liquidity, endless bureaucracy — doesn’t apply to Sweden. — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Though the star is stripping and accreting matter like black holes sometimes do with stars, the huge difference in size between the star in ZTF J0440+2325 and a typical black hole means this proceeds differently. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026

The spa The spa not only has a full typical treatment menu with massages and facials, but also a full hair and nail salon for getting glam from head to toe. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

The store sells PetSmart’s typical pet supply offerings — including food, bedding and accessories for animals — and offers grooming and adoption services. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

typical + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for typical

• atypical
• untypical
• prototypical
• stereotypical

Kids Definition

typical

adjective

typ·​i·​cal ˈtip-i-kəl 

: 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 

: conforming to a type

a typical specimen

typical symptoms of a disease