paradigm
/ˈpær.ə.daɪm/- 1.
A paradigm is a widely accepted model or set of ideas that shapes how people think about a subject. It acts as a standard framework in science, education, or society. When the framework changes completely, we call it a 'paradigm shift.'
- Darwin's work created a new paradigm in how we understand life.
- The internet shifted the paradigm of how businesses reach customers.
- Old teaching paradigms focused on memorization, not critical thinking.
- 2.
In grammar, a paradigm is the full set of inflected forms of a word, shown together as a reference pattern. It is used mainly in formal linguistic study.
- Students memorized the Latin verb paradigm for their exam.
- The teacher wrote the noun paradigm on the board for comparison.
Adinary Nuance
Paradigm sits close to model, framework, archetype, and template, but they are not freely interchangeable. A model is concrete and often visual — you build or test a model. A framework suggests a practical structure with tools and steps inside it. A paradigm, by contrast, is more abstract: it is a shared belief system or worldview that a whole community of thinkers operates within. You wouldn't say "let me build a paradigm" the way you'd say "build a model." Archetype is similar in meaning "original pattern," but it is used more in psychology and literature, while paradigm dominates academic and scientific writing. If you want a more everyday word, choose model or approach; choose paradigm when you mean the deep, overarching assumptions behind an entire field or era.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mô hình
- Spanish
- paradigma
- Chinese
- 范式
- Japanese
- パラダイム
- Korean
- 패러다임
Etymology
From Greek "paradeigma," meaning "pattern" or "example," which passed through Latin into English in the late 15th century. Its powerful modern sense — a dominant worldview in a field — was popularized by philosopher Thomas Kuhn in his 1962 book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions."
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- How do you pronounce 'paradigm'? The 'g' seems silent.
- Yes, the 'g' is silent. It is pronounced /ˈpær.ə.daɪm/ — roughly 'PAIR-uh-dyme.' The spelling comes from Greek, which is why it looks different from how it sounds.
- What exactly is a 'paradigm shift'?
- A paradigm shift is a complete change in the basic way a subject or society thinks about something. The term was coined by Thomas Kuhn to describe moments in science when one framework is entirely replaced by another — for example, moving from the idea that the Sun orbits the Earth to understanding that the Earth orbits the Sun.
- Is 'paradigm' too formal for IELTS writing?
- No — 'paradigm' is actually valued in IELTS Academic writing because it shows range of vocabulary. Use it when discussing big shifts in science, technology, education, or society. Just make sure the context truly calls for it; overusing it can sound forced.
- What is the difference between 'paradigm' and 'framework'?
- A framework is a practical structure — it has steps, rules, or tools you apply. A paradigm is deeper: it is the set of shared assumptions that makes a framework feel natural or obvious in the first place. Think of a framework as a building and the paradigm as the land it stands on.