Typical Meaning
Typical Definition & Usage
Having the usual or expected qualities of a particular person, thing, or group.
Examples
- "It’s typical for her to arrive early at work every day."
- "The weather was typical for this time of year—cold and rainy."
- "This restaurant serves typical Italian cuisine, with pasta and pizza being the most popular dishes."
- "It’s typical for children to be excited about the holidays."
- "His behavior was typical of someone who is nervous before a big presentation."
Used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction with something being standard, average, or unremarkable.
Examples
- "The movie was just typical—nothing special about it."
- "The food was typical of what you'd find at any fast food chain."
- "His excuse for being late was typical—he overslept."
- "It’s typical of them to cancel plans at the last minute."
- "The service was typical of a restaurant in a tourist area—slow and impersonal."
A person or thing that is a representative example of a particular type or group.
Examples
- "He’s the typical of the hardworking employee everyone admires."
- "She’s a typical of the ambitious entrepreneur who doesn’t give up easily."
- "In some ways, the traditional family is becoming a thing of the past, but many still aspire to be a typical."
- "The typical of a large city often involves busy streets and long commutes."
- "In the debate, she argued that a typical could rise above the challenges society places on them."
Cultural Context
The word 'typical' originates from the Latin word 'typicus', meaning 'of a type'. Over time, it evolved to describe the expected or standard characteristics of things and people. In modern English, it can imply both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.
A Typical Day in the City
Story
A Typical Day in the City
It was another typical morning for Jamie. The alarm clock buzzed loudly at 6:30 AM, and as always, she hit snooze, only to wake up 15 minutes later in a panic. This was typical of her routine—always rushing, but somehow never truly late. She tossed on a pair of jeans, grabbed a piece of toast, and rushed out the door. The streets were full of commuters, their faces tired and distracted, the air filled with the hum of traffic. It was typical for a weekday morning in the city—nothing special, just the usual grind. On the way to work, Jamie's friend Sarah called, sounding as cheerful as ever. "I know it's typical for you to hate Mondays, but we have that big meeting today! You’re going to kill it!" she said. Jamie forced a smile. The meeting was typical too—endless presentations, minimal engagement, and a lot of waiting around. As she sat in the conference room, waiting for her turn, she thought about how predictable everything seemed. It felt typical, but not in a good way. After work, Jamie headed to the local café. The menu was typical, offering the usual suspects: coffee, sandwiches, and pastries. She ordered her usual coffee and took a seat near the window. Watching people pass by, she thought about how easy it was to get stuck in a routine, where everything feels typical and ordinary. But then, a woman came into the café, laughing with a friend. She was talking about an upcoming trip, and suddenly, Jamie realized that the unexpected was always just around the corner. A typical day could be disrupted by a single moment, and that’s what made life interesting. As she walked home that evening, Jamie felt a little less bothered by the 'typical' aspects of her life. She had learned to embrace the ordinary, because it was in the typical that the extraordinary could be found.
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