epitome

noun

epit·o·me i-ˈpi-tə-mē

Synonyms of epitome next

: a typical or ideal example : embodiment

the British monarchy itself is the epitome of tradition—

Richard Joseph

: a summary of a written work

: a brief presentation or statement of something

: brief or miniature form

—usually used with in

epitomic

ˌe-pə-ˈtä-mik

adjective

or epitomical

ˌe-pə-ˈtä-mi-kəl

Did you know?

Epitome Has Greek Roots

Epitome first appeared in print in the early 16th century, when it was used to mean "summary." If someone asks you to summarize a long paper, you effectively cut it up, mentioning only the most important ideas, and the etymology of epitome reflects this process: it comes from Greek epitemnein, meaning "to cut short." Your summary probably also presents all the key points of the original work, which may explain why epitome eventually came to be used for any person or object that is a clear or good example of an abstraction, as in "the epitome of grace" or "the epitome of health." We could go on and on... or could we?

Examples of epitome in a Sentence

Terns, nicknamed sea swallows by fishermen, are superb flying machines, the epitome of beauty on the wing. —

E. Vernon Laux, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2001

Manchester, then known as 'Cottonopolis' and perceived throughout the world as the epitome of the whirling fierceness of the industrial revolution. … —

Roy Jenkins, Gladstone, (1995) 1997

Hamilton thought the bank was a fait accompli, but he had not reckoned on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson, the lover of rural virtues, had a deep, almost visceral hatred of banks, the epitome of all that was urban. —

John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, July/August 1990

I didn't tell him that, at the time, I thought the place to be the epitome of bourgeois comfort; in those days I thought that there was some connection between creative talent and penury. —

Ishmael Reed, "August Wilson," 1987, in Writin' Is Fightin', 1988

the golden rule is often cited as the epitome of moral conduct: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” the prestigious prep school prides itself on being widely regarded as the epitome of tradition and old-fashioned values

Recent Examples on the Web

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Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms Amenities: Patio, backyard, outdoor furniture, pool, hot tub, gym, parking Location: Near Sunset Blvd in Hollywood Hills BOOK NOW Sandy Toes Oasis, Malibu Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb Experience the epitome of beachfront living. —

Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024 This year has been the epitome of why the sport has been struggling. —

John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 Historic District This district is the epitome of quintessential Savannah, with more than two miles of whimsical streets and squares to explore. —

Karen Norian, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024 Always wearing his trademark suit and tie, Carlo Ancelotti is usually the epitome of calm on the Bernabeu touchline. —

Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for epitome