example
Definitions
A representative instance that shows what a larger group or general statement is like
例子；实例；范例
A person or behavior held up as a model worth imitating
榜样；典范
A person who is punished as a warning to others (in 'make an example of')
(用于 make an example of) 以儆效尤的对象
To be an example of; to illustrate (formal, less common)
(正式，较少用) 作为…的例子；例证
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin exemplum (ex- 'out' + emere 'to take') = 'something taken out (to show).' Picture pulling one handful of grain from a sack to represent the whole batch. That single representative piece is an 'example.' If the piece is good, you hold it up for others to copy — which is how 'example' also came to mean a 'model' (set an example). Drop the 'ex-' head and you get its twin, sample.
Root exempl still carries 3 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.for example例如
- 2.set an example树立榜样
- 3.give an example举个例子
- 4.lead by example以身作则
- 5.a good example of…的好例子
- 6.make an example of拿…杀鸡儆猴
Example Sentences
- 1.
Could you give me an example of what you mean?
- 2.
London is a good example of a city with great public transport.
- 3.
A good teacher leads by example rather than by orders.
- 4.
The judge decided to make an example of the repeat offender.
Synonym Comparison
- example — one representative instance, or a model to imitate; the broadest, most everyday word
- instance — a single case of something happening; neutral, no 'model' sense (in this instance)
- sample — a small part taken to test the quality of the whole (a free sample, a blood sample); literally the same root as example
- specimen — a sample studied or displayed, often scientific or formal
- model — something so good it sets the standard others copy (a role model); only the 'to imitate' sense