Meaning & use
exemplary
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparableformalapproving
Good enough to be held up as a model for others to follow.
Grammar: Can be used before a noun or after a verb: exemplary behavior, her conduct was exemplary.
Patterns
- exemplary in something
The pupil's exemplary behavior earned her a special award.
The hospital has an exemplary safety record.
His handling of the crisis was exemplary.
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Serving as a typical example that illustrates something.
Grammar: Appears before a noun, mainly in academic writing: an exemplary case.
Patterns
- an exemplary case of something
The study offers an exemplary case of cultural change.
The tower is an exemplary instance of Gothic design.
Her essay includes an exemplary passage that shows the theme.
adjectivebefore a nounlegal
Meant to be severe enough to warn others against the same wrongdoing.
Grammar: Used mostly in legal contexts: exemplary damages.
Patterns
- exemplary punishment
- exemplary damages
The court awarded exemplary damages to deter future abuse.
The judge handed down an exemplary sentence.
The company faced exemplary fines for the spill.
Word forms
| comparative | more exemplary |
|---|---|
| superlative | most exemplary |
Common combinations
- exemplary behavior
- The class was praised for exemplary behavior.
- exemplary record
- He has an exemplary record of service.
- exemplary service
- The hotel offers exemplary service.
- exemplary damages
- The jury awarded exemplary damages.
- set an exemplary standard
- The lab set an exemplary standard for care.
Synonyms and how they differ
- model
- Model as an adjective is shorter and less formal, as in a model student.
- outstanding
- Outstanding means excellent, but does not imply being an example for others.
- commendable
- Commendable means deserving praise, which is gentler than exemplary.
- ideal
- Ideal means perfect as imagined, while exemplary means actually being a good example.
Opposites
Word family
- example noun
- something that shows a general rule
- exemplar noun
- a perfect model or typical example
- exemplify verb
- to be a typical example of
- exemplification noun
- an act of illustrating by example
Commonly confused: exemplary or exemplar?
exemplary vs exemplar
Exemplar is a noun for the model itself, while exemplary is the adjective describing something worthy of imitation.
Practice
The principal described the student's attendance and attitude as ______, hoping others would copy them.
Choose one answer.
Exemplary means worthy of being a model. Average, acceptable and regular do not suggest others should imitate.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exemplary”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.