epitomise

USAGE SUMMARY

"epitomise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that is a perfect example of a certain quality or idea, e.g. "She epitomises strength and grace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But during the four-month shoot, Renoir built up Dubost's role, which came to epitomise her career.

The Guardian - Film

ENRON, even more than the dozens of busted dotcom companies, may come to epitomise the excesses of the 1990s, the way that Michael Milken and his investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert represented the Wall Street excesses of the 1980s.

The Economist

The films it most closely resembles epitomise these two strains.

The Economist

It does, though, epitomise the prime minister's political position.

The Economist

ILLINOIS AND ITS largest city, Chicago, epitomise much of what is wrong with pensions in America.

The Economist

WHEN veterans of the last dotcom boom name companies that epitomise the excesses of the late 1990s, they invariably include Webvan and Kozmo.com in their lists.

The Economist

Or look at Iraq, where the vice-president went further than anybody else in exaggerating Saddam's "reconstituted" nuclear-weapons programme and the idea that he provided a "geographic base" for terrorism against America.Another reason to ditch Mr Cheney is that he has come to epitomise the administration's darker side.

The Economist

The EU may come to epitomise a remote organisation demanding financial restrictions and higher taxes, yet failing to deliver improvements for ordinary people".

The Economist

AFTER ruling Japan for most of the past half-century, the Liberal Democratic Party LDPP) tore itself apart this week over an issue that has come to epitomise the battle between its market-friendly reformists and its conservative old guard: the privatisation of Japan Post.

The Economist

But few buildings there really epitomise Polish ambition and history.Ljubljana and Tallinn impress on a small scale, not a grand one.

The Economist

FOR all its travails, Northern Ireland is still innocent enough to be excited by a visit from the world's most powerful man, especially when he seems to epitomise the removal of obstacles that once seemed impossible to shift.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "epitomise" when you want to indicate that something is the ideal or perfect example of a particular quality or characteristic. For instance, "She epitomises grace under pressure."

Common error

Avoid using "epitomise" in very casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "represents" or "is a great example of" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "epitomise" is a transitive verb. It is used to describe how someone or something serves as a typical or perfect example of a particular quality or concept. As Ludwig AI notes, it indicates a clear representation of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "epitomise" functions as a transitive verb used to define something as a perfect example of a quality or trait. It is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for highlighting quintessential representations. When writing, remember that simpler alternatives like "represent" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exemplify

Focuses more on providing an example than being the definitive representation.

typify

Highlights typical characteristics rather than perfect representation.

embody

Suggests a physical or tangible representation of an abstract concept.

personify

Attributes human qualities to an inanimate object or idea.

represent

A broader term that suggests standing in for something else without necessarily being a perfect example.

illustrate

Focuses on clarifying or explaining something through examples.

symbolize

Represents something through a symbol or sign.

mirror

Suggests a reflection or close resemblance, but not necessarily a perfect embodiment.

encapsulate

Captures the essence of something in a concise form.

stand for

Indicates a representation or advocacy of something.

FAQs

How to use "epitomise" in a sentence?

Use "epitomise" to describe something that serves as a perfect example of a particular quality or characteristic. For example, "Her actions "epitomise" selflessness."

What can I say instead of "epitomise"?

You can use alternatives like "exemplify", "typify", or "embody" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "epitomise" or "epitomize"?

"Epitomise" and "epitomize" are both correct, but "epitomise" is more common in British English, while "epitomize" is more common in American English. Both spellings have the same meaning.

What does it mean to say something "epitomises" a quality?

To say something "epitomises" a quality means that it serves as a perfect or ideal example of that quality, embodying it in its purest form.