What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
epitomise
Example
The movie Rocky epitomizes the underdog story. [epitomize: verb]
Example
The Mona Lisa is often considered to epitomize the Renaissance period. [epitomize: verb]
exemplify
Example
The teacher used a real-life example to exemplify the concept of supply and demand. [exemplify: verb]
Example
The athlete's dedication and hard work exemplify what it takes to be successful. [exemplify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Exemplify is more commonly used than epitomize in everyday language. Exemplify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while epitomize is less common and usually reserved for more formal or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between epitomise and exemplify?
Epitomize is more formal than exemplify and is typically used in academic or literary contexts. However, both words can be used in formal writing or speech depending on the context.