exemplify
/ɪɡˈzɛm.plɪ.faɪ/- 1.
To be a very clear or typical example of something. When a person, thing, or situation exemplifies an idea, it shows that idea in a concrete, recognizable way.
- Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of the entire research team.
- This building exemplifies modern architecture at its finest.
- The case exemplifies why clear communication matters in every workplace.
- 2.
To show or explain something by giving a specific example. This sense is common in academic and formal writing when a writer wants to make a point clearer.
- The professor used a graph to exemplify the rate of population growth.
- Can you exemplify what you mean by 'effective leadership'?
Adinary Nuance
Exemplify sits in a cluster of near-neighbors — illustrate, typify, embody, and demonstrate — and each one carries a slightly different weight. To exemplify something means the subject itself is a clear, usable example of a larger idea; the focus is on being a representative instance. Illustrate often implies actively adding support (a diagram, a story, a comparison) to make a point clearer — you illustrate for an audience. Typify is close but leans on being a representative or average case, while exemplify often implies a strong or outstanding instance. In academic writing, "exemplify" signals that a case or fact speaks directly for a broader concept, making it the sharpest choice when you want evidence to do its own talking.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Minh họa điển hình
- Spanish
- Ejemplificar
- Chinese
- 举例说明
- Japanese
- 例示する
- Korean
- 예시하다
Etymology
From Latin "exemplum" (example) combined with the suffix "-fy" (meaning "to make"), entering English in the late 15th century. The word has always carried a formal, written-language feel rooted in its Latin origin.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'exemplify' a formal word?
- Yes, 'exemplify' is more formal than everyday words like 'show' or 'prove'. It is very common in academic essays, IELTS writing tasks, and professional reports. In casual speech, people usually say 'is a good example of' instead.
- What is the difference between 'exemplify' and 'illustrate'?
- 'Exemplify' means a subject *is* the example — it represents a bigger idea by itself. 'Illustrate' means you are actively using something (a story, a chart, a case) to make a point clearer for the reader. Think of it this way: a hero *exemplifies* courage; a teacher *illustrates* courage with a story.
- Can I write 'exemplify that...' followed by a clause?
- Not naturally. 'Exemplify' takes a noun object, not a 'that' clause. Write 'This data exemplifies the scale of the problem,' not 'This data exemplifies that the problem is big.' Use 'demonstrate' or 'show' if you need a 'that' clause.
- Is 'exemplify' commonly used in IELTS writing?
- Yes, it is a high-band vocabulary word in IELTS Task 1 and Task 2. Using it correctly — especially with a noun object — can signal a strong command of academic English to the examiner.