exemplify

UK: /ɪgˈzɛmplɪfaɪ/ US: /ɪgˈzɛmpləˌfaɪ/ ,(ig zem′plə fī′)

Inflections of 'exemplify' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

exemplifies

v 3rd person singular

exemplifying

v pres p

exemplified

v past

exemplified

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ex•em•pli•fy /ɪgˈzɛmpləˌfaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to show or illustrate by example.
2. to furnish or serve as an example of;
   typify.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ex•em•pli•fy  (ig zem′plə fī′), v.t., -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to show or illustrate by example.
2. to furnish or serve as an example of:
   The plays of Wilde exemplify the comedy of manners.
3. Law to transcribe or copy;
   make an attested copy of (a document) under seal.

• Medieval Latin exemplificāre to copy. See exemplum, -ify
• Middle French exemplifier
• late Middle English exemplifien 1375–1425

ex•em′pli•fi′a•ble, adj. 
ex•em′pli•fi′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. typify, epitomize, depict, embody.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

exemplify / ɪɡˈzɛmplɪˌfaɪ/ verb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)(transitive)

1. to show by example
2. to serve as an example of
3. to make an official copy of (a document from public records) under seal
4. to transcribe (a legal document)

Etymology: 15th Century: via Old French from Medieval Latin exemplificāre, from Latin exemplum example + facere to make

exˈempliˌfiable adjective

exˌemplifiˈcation noun

exˈemplifiˌcative adjective

exˈempliˌfier noun