example

One thing chosen to show what a group or type of things is like.

• Can you give an example?
• This sentence is an example of a question.
• Some fruits, for example lemons, taste sour.

How to use it: example of something (A robin is an example of a small bird.)

Similar words: instance

Common phrases: for example, example of something, give an example, typical example

Someone or something whose behavior shows others how they should or should not act.

• She sets a good example.
• The children followed their father’s example and helped.
• His careless driving is a bad example to young drivers.

How to use it: example to someone (She is an example to younger players.); set an example for someone (Parents should set an example for their children.)

Similar words: role model, model

Common phrases: set an example, follow someone’s example, bad example

Something that shows how another thing should be made or done.

• Use this example to build your model.
• She showed us an example of a finished project.
• We copied the layout from the example on the board.

How to use it: example of something (The teacher showed us an example of a finished report.)

Similar words: model, pattern

Common phrases: follow the example, example to copy, finished example