epitome
noun
epit·o·me
i-ˈpi-tə-mē 
1
: a typical or ideal example : an example that represents or expresses something very well : embodiment
… J. D. Salinger managed to forge, in Holden Caulfield, the epitome of American adolescent disgruntlement for decades of young readers …—
Laura Miller
Laura Miller2
a
: a summary of a written work
Utilizing his summary but expanding upon it, I present my own epitome of the book …—David B. Ruderman
David B. Ruderman
b
: a brief presentation or statement of something
… the age where nations demonstrated economic achievements, gave an epitome of their trade and prospects …—Peter Proudfoot
Peter Proudfoot3
: brief or miniature form
… it occurred to him that a walk through the countryside was a sort of epitome of the passage through life itself.—Paul Bowles
—usually used with inPaul Bowles… he showed in epitome his qualities as a historian and a biographer.—Oliver Wendell Holmes
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Did you know?
Epitome first appeared in print in the early 16th century, when it was used to mean "summary." If someone asks you to summarize a long paper, you effectively cut it up, mentioning only the most important ideas. The etymology of epitome reflects this process: it comes from Greek epitemnein, meaning "to cut short." Your summary probably also presents all the key points of the original work, which may explain why epitome eventually came to be used for any person or object that is a clear or good example of an abstraction, as in "the epitome of grace" or "the epitome of health."
Examples of epitome in a Sentence
Terns, nicknamed sea swallows by fishermen, are superb flying machines, the epitome of beauty on the wing.
—E. Vernon Laux, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2001
Manchester, then known as 'Cottonopolis' and perceived throughout the world as the epitome of the whirling fierceness of the industrial revolution. …
—Roy Jenkins, Gladstone, (1995) 1997
Hamilton thought the bank was a fait accompli, but he had not reckoned on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson, the lover of rural virtues, had a deep, almost visceral hatred of banks, the epitome of all that was urban.
—John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, July/August 1990
I didn't tell him that, at the time, I thought the place to be the epitome of bourgeois comfort; in those days I thought that there was some connection between creative talent and penury.
—Ishmael Reed, "August Wilson," 1987,
in Writin' Is Fightin', 1988
the golden rule is often cited as the epitome of moral conduct: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
the prestigious prep school prides itself on being widely regarded as the epitome of tradition and old-fashioned values
E. Vernon Laux, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2001
Manchester, then known as 'Cottonopolis' and perceived throughout the world as the epitome of the whirling fierceness of the industrial revolution. …
—Roy Jenkins, Gladstone, (1995) 1997
Hamilton thought the bank was a fait accompli, but he had not reckoned on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson, the lover of rural virtues, had a deep, almost visceral hatred of banks, the epitome of all that was urban.
—John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, July/August 1990
I didn't tell him that, at the time, I thought the place to be the epitome of bourgeois comfort; in those days I thought that there was some connection between creative talent and penury.
—Ishmael Reed, "August Wilson," 1987,
in Writin' Is Fightin', 1988
the golden rule is often cited as the epitome of moral conduct: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
the prestigious prep school prides itself on being widely regarded as the epitome of tradition and old-fashioned values
Recent Examples on the Web
Truly, her example was the epitome of fleeting genius.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Their contoured footbeds and 100 percent leather straps are the epitome of quality, and they’re even designed to relieve pressure on your feet and legs, which will prove to be an asset during busy travel days and more.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026
Pop this casserole in the oven and in about 20 minutes, the epitome of comfort food will be ready for supper.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
Nearby, Thundering Surf Water Park and Adventure Golf and Hardland Golf and Arcade are both the epitome of kid-friendly fun, continuing the tradition of water slides, mini golf, and retro arcade games.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for epitome
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Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Their contoured footbeds and 100 percent leather straps are the epitome of quality, and they’re even designed to relieve pressure on your feet and legs, which will prove to be an asset during busy travel days and more.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026
Pop this casserole in the oven and in about 20 minutes, the epitome of comfort food will be ready for supper.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
Nearby, Thundering Surf Water Park and Adventure Golf and Hardland Golf and Arcade are both the epitome of kid-friendly fun, continuing the tradition of water slides, mini golf, and retro arcade games.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for epitome
Cite this Entry
“Epitome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epitome. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
epitome
noun
epit·o·me
i-ˈpit-ə-mē
1
a
: a summary of a written work
b
: a brief statement of the main points or facts
2
: something thought to represent a basic quality or an ideal example
your response was the epitome of good sense
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