When writers want to say “the best example” or “the model to follow,” they have many words to choose from. Seven of these name the model itself, one describes being the perfect example, and two are verbs for following a model or showing what a type is like.
Key idea
The perfect example: paragon (of a good quality), epitome, quintessential. The model or pattern: paradigm, archetype (the original), prototype (the first trial version), exemplar, benchmark (a standard to measure by). Verbs: emulate (copy someone you admire, hoping to match them) and typify (be a typical example).
The ten words
Common mistake
epitome is pronounced ih-PIT-uh-mee. emulate means imitating out of admiration, hoping to match or surpass, not just copying.
| word | what it names | you might hear |
|---|---|---|
| paradigm | a model or pattern; a way of thinking | a new paradigm |
| paragon | a model of a good quality | a paragon of patience |
| epitome | the perfect example | the epitome of coziness |
| archetype | the original, classic model | the wise-old-wizard archetype |
| prototype | the first trial version | a working prototype |
| exemplar | a model to copy | an exemplar of clear writing |
| benchmark | a standard to measure by | set the benchmark |
| quintessential | most perfectly typical | the quintessential summer day |
| emulate | to copy someone admired, to match them | emulate her hero |
| typify | to be typical of | brick houses typify the street |
Two traps. Epitome has four syllables: ih-PIT-uh-mee, not “EP-ih-tome.” And emulate is more than copying: you emulate someone you admire, hoping to match or even surpass them. A student who copies a neighbor’s answers is cheating, not emulating.