exemplify
gb/ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪ/ us/ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪ/
C1
English
~ 9100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
state
1
be a typical example of something
To clearly show a type, quality, or situation by being an example of it.
Usage pattern:
[something] exemplifies [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"exemplify of"* (e.g., *"This exemplifies of the problem"*). The verb does not take "of"; say *"This exemplifies the problem."* Another mistake is using it in very casual speech where simple verbs like "show" or "be" are more natural.
Synonyms
typify (Stresses being a usual or representative example of a wider group.)
|
embody (Often used when an idea or quality is shown in a person or thing in a concrete way.)
|
illustrate (Highlights showing something clearly, often with an example, not always by being that example.)
|
epitomize (Suggests being the perfect or best example, often more emphatic than 'exemplify'.)
Antonyms
contradict (If something contradicts an idea, it shows the opposite instead of being an example of it.)
|
belie (Means to give a false idea of something, rather than clearly showing what it is like.)
Collocations
perfectly exemplify
|clearly exemplify
|exemplify a trend
|exemplify a problem
|exemplify a principle
|exemplify a pattern
Themes
analysis
|communication
|academia
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company's rapid growth exemplifies the potential of the technology sector.
- These cases exemplify the difficulties faced by low‑income families.
- Her career path exemplifies the challenges women encounter in this field.
- The building exemplifies the style of architecture popular in the 1970s.
- This conflict exemplifies why better communication is necessary.
Learner examples
- This story exemplifies the main problem in the city.
- The chart exemplifies the changes in prices over time.
- His behavior exemplifies what we want to avoid.
- These examples exemplify the risks of smoking.
- The film exemplifies modern horror movies.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
give an example to explain
To give an example that helps other people understand an idea.
Usage pattern:
to exemplify [idea] with [example]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "exemplify" when they only mean "give" or "say" (e.g., *"He exemplified his opinion"*). "Exemplify" should be used when the thing you give is serving as an example to explain or support an idea. Also, in informal speech, "show" or "give an example" is usually more natural.
Synonyms
illustrate (Most common everyday alternative when talking about explaining something with an example.)
|
demonstrate (Emphasizes proving or showing clearly, sometimes with evidence or experiments.)
|
clarify (Focuses on making something easier to understand; does not always require a specific example.)
Antonyms
obscure (Means to make something less clear or harder to understand, the opposite of explaining with examples.)
|
confuse (Means to make someone unable to understand, the opposite effect of exemplifying an idea.)
Collocations
exemplify a point
|exemplify this point
|exemplify the rule
|exemplify the difference
|exemplify the concept
|exemplify the idea
Themes
education
|communication
|academia
Examples
- The teacher exemplified the grammar rule with several simple sentences.
- To exemplify this point, let me show you a real customer email.
- The report exemplifies the concept with data from three different countries.
- The author exemplifies her argument by describing one child’s experience in detail.
- He used a short case study to exemplify the problem discussed earlier.
Learner examples
- The teacher exemplified the new word with a picture.
- Let me exemplify the idea with a simple story.
- The book exemplifies each rule with two examples.
- The speaker exemplified his point by talking about his own life.
- The article exemplifies the theory with real events.
Verb
formal
C1
state
3
be an excellent example of a quality
To show a strong quality very clearly, so that you are an excellent example of it.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] exemplifies [quality/value]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "exemplify" with a negative quality in a way that sounds strange in formal writing (e.g., *"He exemplifies laziness"*). While possible, this verb is more often used for positive or at least neutral qualities like "leadership" or "professionalism."
Synonyms
embody (Common when a person or thing seems to contain or live out an abstract quality or value.)
|
epitomize (Very close in meaning; often slightly stronger, suggesting the best or purest example.)
|
personify (Often used when a person shows an abstract quality as if they were that quality itself.)
Antonyms
betray (In this context, means to act against a quality or value instead of clearly showing it.)
|
undermine (Means to weaken or damage a value or principle, rather than clearly representing it.)
Collocations
exemplify courage
|exemplify leadership
|exemplify excellence
|exemplify these values
|exemplify our mission
|exemplify the spirit of [something]
Themes
evaluation
|people
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She exemplifies courage in the way she speaks out for others.
- The volunteers exemplify the spirit of the organization.
- His calm response under pressure exemplifies true professionalism.
- These athletes exemplify dedication and discipline.
- The award is given to students who exemplify the school’s core values.
Learner examples
- She exemplifies hard work and honesty.
- These workers exemplify good customer service.
- The team exemplifies what cooperation can do.
- His actions exemplify true friendship.
- The doctor exemplifies care for her patients.
Verb
technical
C2
action
4
make an officially certified copy
In legal work, to make an official copy of a document that is signed and marked as true.
Usage pattern:
to exemplify [legal document]
Synonyms
certify (General legal term for officially confirming something is true or accurate.)
|
attest (Stresses formally stating that a document or copy is genuine.)
Antonyms
invalidate (To make a document or act legally ineffective, the opposite of formally confirming it.)
Collocations
exemplify a judgment
|exemplify a decree
|exemplified copy
|exemplified judgment
|exemplified order
|duly exemplified
Themes
law
|administration
Examples
- The court requested an exemplified copy of the foreign judgment.
- Before filing the appeal, they had the order exemplified by the clerk.
- An exemplified decree must bear the official seal of the issuing court.
Learner examples
- The lawyer asked the court to exemplify the judgment.
- They needed an exemplified copy of the order for the case.
- The clerk exemplified the document and sent it to the other court.
Grammar
Dictionary form
exemplify
IPA
GB/ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪ/
US/ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
ex - em - pli - fy (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (em)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: exemplify
- 3rd Person Singular: exemplifies
- Present Participle: exemplifying
- Past: exemplified
Word family
Expressions
as exemplified by
1/ˈæz ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪd bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
used to introduce an illustrative example
Used before giving something that clearly shows what you just said.
Examples
- Many cities face housing shortages, as exemplified by the situation in San Francisco.
- The risks of climate change, as exemplified by recent heatwaves, are becoming harder to ignore.
is exemplified in
1/ˈɪz ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪd ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
formal
state where a quality is clearly shown
Used to say that a quality or idea can be clearly seen in something.
Examples
- The company’s culture is exemplified in the way it supports employee development.
- The problem is exemplified in this case, where the law is unclear.
may be exemplified by
1/mˈeɪ bˈi ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪd bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
shows something using a possible example
Says that what you are talking about can be clearly shown with the example that follows.
Examples
- The effects of overfishing may be exemplified by the collapse of cod stocks in the 1990s.
- This trend may be exemplified by the rise of remote work platforms.
to exemplify this point
1/tə ɪɡzˈɛmpləfˌaɪ ðˈɪs pˈɔɪnt/
fixed phrase
formal
introduce an example for a point
Used when you are about to give an example that makes your idea clearer.
Examples
- To exemplify this point, consider how quickly fake news spreads online.
- The author presents two case studies to exemplify this point.