typical
gb/tˈɪpɪkəl/ us/tˈɪpɪkəl/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
having the usual qualities
Being like most other things or people of the same kind.
Usage pattern:
[something] is typical of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'typical' with 'stereotypical', but 'stereotypical' often has a negative connotation of oversimplification.
Synonyms
characteristic (Slightly more formal; often used in technical or descriptive contexts.)
|
normal (Implies what is common or expected, but can also refer to conformity to a standard.)
Antonyms
atypical (Direct opposite, meaning not having the usual qualities.)
|
unusual (Implies something is rare or uncommon compared to the norm.)
Collocations
typical example
|typical behavior
|typical day
|typical case
Themes
description
|comparison
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This painting is typical of the artist’s early work.
- Snow in April is not typical for this region.
- His reaction was typical of someone under stress.
- The restaurant serves a typical Italian breakfast.
Learner examples
- It is typical for him to be late.
- This is a typical house in my city.
- Rain is typical in autumn here.
- Her dress is typical for a wedding.
adjective
informal
B2
property
2
predictable in an annoying way
Used when someone does something you expect them to do, and you are a little annoyed.
Usage pattern:
That's typical [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense without realizing it can sound critical or sarcastic.
Synonyms
predictable (Neutral to slightly negative; focuses on something being expected.)
Antonyms
unexpected (Opposite in that it surprises you instead of matching expectations.)
Collocations
so typical
|pretty typical
|how typical
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He forgot my birthday again—typical!
- You’re late again. Typical John.
- She left without saying goodbye, which is typical of her.
Learner examples
- You are late again. Typical!
- He lost his keys again. Typical Tom.
- She forgot my name. Typical her.
Grammar
Dictionary form
typical
IPA
GB/tˈɪpɪkəl/
US/tˈɪpɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
typ - ic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (typ)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: typical
Word family
Expressions
fairly typical
1/fˈɛɹli tˈɪpɪkəl/
fixed phrase
quite usual or normal for something
Means that something is quite usual but not completely.
Examples
- This kind of weather is fairly typical for spring here.
- Her answer was fairly typical for someone in her position.
pretty typical
1/pɹˈɪti tˈɪpɪkəl/
fixed phrase
informal
very usual, often annoyingly so
Used to say that something happens in the way you expect, often with some annoyance.
Examples
- He forgot to call me back—pretty typical.
- Late trains are pretty typical on Mondays.
typical of
1/tˈɪpɪkəl əv/
fixed phrase
showing usual qualities of something
Shows that something has the normal qualities of a person or thing.
Examples
- That style of dress is typical of the 1980s.
- His calm reaction is typical of experienced pilots.