Meaning & use
model
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Meanings
nouncountable
A simplified version of a system, object, or process that helps people understand it or predict how it will behave.
Grammar: Often followed by of: a model of the solar system.
Patterns
- a model of something
- a model for something
Scientists built a computer model of the river to forecast floods.
The teacher used a plastic model of the heart.
Economists tested the model against last year's figures.
nouncountable
A person who wears clothes to show them off, or who poses for artists or photographers.
Grammar: Refers to the person: she works as a model.
Patterns
- work as a model
- model for someone
She worked as a model for a sportswear company.
The painter asked his neighbor to be his model.
Several models walked the runway in the new collection.
nouncountable
A particular version or design of a manufactured product, such as a car or phone.
Grammar: Used with a maker's name: the latest model of the phone.
Patterns
- the latest model
- a model of something
The newest model has a much longer battery life.
He traded his old car for a more recent model.
This model comes in three colors.
nouncountable
A person or thing worth copying because it is an excellent example of something.
Grammar: Often used before another noun or with for: a model student, a model for others.
Patterns
- a model of something
- a model for something
- a role model
The school's recycling scheme became a model for others in the district.
She is a model of patience.
He was a model employee for ten years.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To wear clothes to show them to an audience or customers, or to pose for an artist.
Grammar: With an object: model a jacket; without one: she models part-time.
Patterns
- model something
- model for someone
She models for a local department store.
He modeled the new coat for the photographer.
Students modeled their handmade dresses at the show.
verbtransitive
To base something on an example or pattern, or to shape something after it.
Grammar: Usually takes after or on: model something after something.
Patterns
- model something on something
- model yourself on someone
- model something after something
The town modeled its new library on a famous design in Copenhagen.
He modeled his coaching style after his old mentor.
The company's scheme was modeled on a Swedish plan.
Word forms
| plural | models |
|---|---|
| third person singular | models |
| past tense | modeled |
| past participle | modeled |
| -ing form | modeling |
Common combinations
- role model
- The coach is a positive role model for the team.
- build a model
- The class built a model of a volcano.
- business model
- The start-up changed its business model to survive.
- scale model
- He keeps a scale model of the ship on his desk.
- model student
- She is a model student who never misses homework.
- fashion model
- A young fashion model signed with an agency in Milan.
Synonyms and how they differ
- replica
- A replica is a close copy of something real, whereas a model may be simplified or abstract.
- example
- Example shows a typical case; model suggests something worth following.
- prototype
- A prototype is an early working version of a product, while a model can be a finished product line.
- paragon
- A paragon is a perfect example of a quality and is stronger and more formal than model.
Word family
Commonly confused: model or module?
model vs module
A module is a separate unit that forms part of a larger system or course; a model is a representation or an example to copy.
Practice
The engineers tested a small ___ of the bridge in a wind tunnel before construction began.
Choose one answer.
A model is a smaller representation used to see how the real thing will behave. A module is a part of a system, which does not fit a scaled test copy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “model”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.