Word: epitomize

Associations

"Epitomize" means to be a perfect example of something. It suggests that the subject fully represents or embodies a particular quality or attribute.

• Example 1: "She epitomizes kindness." This means she is a perfect example of being kind.
• Example 2: "The painting epitomizes the beauty of nature." This means the painting represents nature's beauty very well.
• Example 3: "He epitomizes hard work." This suggests he represents the quality of hard work in the best way possible.

A well-known synonym is "personify." The main difference is that "personify" often refers to giving human qualities to something non-human, while "epitomize" directly relates to being a perfect example of a quality.

Substitution

Other phrases you could use instead of "epitomize" include:

• "embody" (suggests giving a tangible form to an idea)
• "represent" (a broader term that can apply in many contexts)
• "illustrate" (focuses more on showing through examples)

Each substitution changes the nuance slightly; "embody" can involve a physical form, while "represent" is more general.

Deconstruction

The word "epitomize" comes from the Greek word "epitome," which means a summary or abstract. The prefix "epi-" means "upon" or "over," and the root "tom-" comes from "temnein," which means "to cut." Thus, "epitomize" suggests cutting something down to its essential points or essence.

Inquiry

• Can you think of someone or something that you believe epitomizes a certain quality, like bravery or elegance?
• How would you explain the concept of epitomizing to someone who knows nothing about the word?
• In what situations have you seen something or someone used as an example of a good or bad quality?