Example
/ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
nounA1
Definition
An example is something you show or use to help explain or understand a bigger idea. It can be a picture, a story, or a real thing that helps people see what you mean.
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See It in Action
A thing or case that shows what something is like
- •This painting is a good example of modern art.
- •Can you give me an example of a healthy meal?
- •The teacher used an example to explain the grammar rule.
A person or action that others can copy or learn from
- •She is a good example for her classmates.
- •Parents should set a good example for their children.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "example" like "sample" (A1 word), but "example" is used to teach or explain, while "sample" can be just a small part.
- ✓Picture a teacher showing a math problem on the board to help students understand how to solve it.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone shows you how to do something step by step so you can learn.
- ✓Sounds like "egg-ZAM-pul" → Imagine a big egg that shows you what all eggs look like.
- ✓Remember stories or pictures in books that help you understand new words or ideas.
- ✓NOT like "rule" (which tells you what to do), an "example" shows you how something works.
- ✓NOT like "definition" (which explains the meaning), an "example" shows the meaning with a real case.
- ✓NOT like "model" (which is a perfect copy), an "example" can be one of many possible cases.
Try Other Words
- •Instance: a particular case or situation (Use when talking about one specific case)
- •Illustration: a picture or story that helps explain something (Use when you want to show or explain clearly)
- •Case: a situation or example of something happening (Use when referring to a real or imagined situation)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ex-" (out, from) + "ample" (from Latin "amplus" meaning large or full) → meaning something taken out to show or explain
- •Etymology: From Latin "exemplum," meaning a pattern or model to follow
- •Historical development: Used since the 14th century in English to mean a model or pattern for learning
- •Modern usage: Used in everyday language to show or teach ideas, rules, or examples of things
Reflect & Connect
•Fill-in-blank: When I don't understand a new word, I like to see an example of how it is used in a sentence.
•How do examples help you learn new things better than just reading definitions?
•Can an example ever be confusing? Why might that happen?
Fill in the blanks
1.The best example of kindness I have seen is _______ because _______.