example
//ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl//
Forms
- Plural
- examples
- present (v1)
- example
- past (v2)
- exampled
- past participle (v3)
- exampled
- present participle
- exampling
- 3rd person singular
- examples
Definitions
1.Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
- I'll give you a simple example.
- Can you give me an example?
2.Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
- I'll give you a simple example.
- Can you give me an example?
3.A person punished as a warning to others.
- I'll give you a simple example.
- Can you give me an example?
4.Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).
- Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.
1.To be illustrated or exemplified (by).
Frequency
Overall
Common· #775
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Word family
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.