What does typical mean?
Word: Typical
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Typical means having the usual qualities of a particular kind of person, thing or place; just what you would expect.
Synonyms: usual, ordinary, standard
Antonyms: unusual, rare, odd
How do you spell typical?
Syllables: typ - i - cal
Tricky part: The first vowel is a y, not an i, even though it sounds like the i in tip: the word grew from type.
Watch out for: tipical, typicle, typicel
Memory tip: Something typical is true to its type, so it borrows type's y: drop the e of type and the y stays put.
Typical in a sentence
Example 1: A typical school day for Arjun starts with the bus at seven.
Example 2: Hot, sticky afternoons are typical of Chennai in May.
Example 3: It was typical of Chloe to share her lunch with the new girl.
Fun Fact
Typical and type both go back to the Greek word typos, which meant a blow or the mark left by striking something.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) familiar
b) particular
c) typikal
d) ordinary
Show answer
c) typikal. The k sound near the end of typical is written with a c, as it is in magic and music.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
typicall
a) c
b) a
c) l
d) i
Show answer
c) l. Typical closes with a single l, just as local and total do.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
typical
a) special
b) strange
c) normal
d) famous
Show answer
c) normal. Something normal is what usually happens, so it means the same as typical.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
ilacypt
a) tropical
b) typical
c) atypical
d) topical
Show answer
b) typical. Topical has an o where the jumble has a y, tropical needs an r and an o, and atypical needs a second a.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. During the Mumbai monsoon, what kind of weather is typical?
a) long dry spells
b) cold, dry winds
c) clear blue skies
d) heavy rain
Show answer
d) heavy rain
2. Kiran says to her brother, 'Late again? That is so typical of you!' She means the lateness is ____.
a) the first time ever
b) a big surprise to her
c) something he often does
d) not really his fault
Show answer
c) something he often does
