epitome

USAGE SUMMARY

"epitome" is an English word that can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something or someone that represents the perfect example or embodiment of a particular quality or concept. For example, "He is the epitome of generosity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Following the exile of Captain Alfred Dreyfus after his wrongful conviction for spying for Germany against France, his wife, Lucie, was portrayed as a bourgeois heroine, the epitome of the dutiful Victorian spouse.

The Guardian

LSE is the epitome of the neoliberal university.

The Guardian

And then the debate went ahead, as planned, with Sarkozy the epitome of charm.

The Guardian - Opinion

The most powerful woman in our history remains, on our screens, the epitome of the female grotesque.

The Guardian - Opinion

But then, as he points out, the bird hasn't always been the epitome of banality.

The Guardian - Books

I was born and grew up in the suburbs; nowadays, I live in what used to be dismissed as the epitome of suburban existence with the phrase "the man on the Clapham omnibus".

The Guardian - Opinion

The party's Washington-based hierarchy rallied behind 76-year-old Cochran, the epitome of a southern Republican appropriator, after he was forced into a run-off by McDaniel, 41, a former talkshow host, earlier this month.

The Guardian

It is a measure of the enduring impact of the miners' sacrifice and the potential power of radical trade unionism that, a generation after the event, it is still felt necessary to paint the strike as a dismal morality tale and its leadership as the epitome of vain self-delusion.

The Guardian

Let's face it, whether or not we really understand how or why our mix of cable services is priced is hardly in the same league – it's the epitome of a first world problem.

The Guardian - Money

Even the internet, the epitome of globalisation for the past two decades, is at risk of being balkanised as more authoritarian countries – including China, Iran, Turkey, and Russia – seek to restrict access to social media and crack down on free expression.

The Guardian - Business

THE scene is the epitome of country-club Republicanism.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "epitome", ensure the context clearly establishes what quality or characteristic is being perfectly embodied.

Common error

Avoid using "epitome" to describe something that is simply a good example. "Epitome" implies the perfect embodiment, not just a typical instance.

Linguistic Context

The word "epitome" functions as a noun, typically used as a subject complement or appositive. It denotes the perfect example or embodiment of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, confirming its role in signifying a high degree of representation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Epitome" is a noun that signifies the perfect example or embodiment of something. Ludwig provides abundant examples demonstrating its frequent use across various authoritative sources, particularly in news, business, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. To use it effectively, remember that "epitome" denotes not just a good example, but the ideal representation. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently incorporate "epitome" into your writing to add precision and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfect example

Focuses on the representative nature, highlighting the exemplification of something.

quintessence

Emphasizes the purest and most essential form of something.

ideal embodiment

Highlights the perfect realization or representation of an idea or concept.

archetype

Suggests a standard or typical example serving as a model.

model example

This is a combination of model and example and underlines that something is so good and sets an example for others.

classic case

Indicates a typical and well-known instance of something.

prime example

Underscores that something is a leading or outstanding illustration.

perfect representation

Highlights how something is portrayed or depicted in an flawless way.

best illustration

Emphasizes the clarity and effectiveness of something as an example.

ultimate expression

Focuses on something representing the highest degree or manifestation.

FAQs

How to use "epitome" in a sentence?

Use "epitome" to describe something that serves as the perfect example of a particular quality or characteristic. For example, "She is the "perfect example" of dedication".

What can I say instead of "epitome"?

You can use alternatives like ""perfect example"", "quintessence", or "ideal embodiment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "epitome of" or "epitome for"?

"Epitome of" is the correct usage. For example, "He is the "epitome of" kindness" is correct, while "He is the epitome for kindness" is not.

What's the difference between "epitome" and "example"?

"Epitome" refers to the perfect or ideal representation of something, while "example" simply refers to a representative instance. The "perfect example" embodies a concept; a regular example merely illustrates it.