You use typical to describe someone or something that shows the most usual characteristics of a particular type of person or thing, and is therefore a good example of that type. If a particular action or feature is typical of someone or something, it shows their usual qualities or characteristics. Learn what typical means with clear definitions, pronunciation, synonyms, and real-world examples. Simple explanations to help you use typical correctly. When something is typical, it is common, regular, expected — hanging out with friends and playing computer games are typical activities of American teens. Replace “typical” with sharper words. Use 100 alternatives to sound clearer, more vivid, and more precise in writing, emails, and resumes. TYPICAL meaning: 1. showing all the characteristics that you would usually expect from a particular group of things…. Learn more. The simple definition of TYPICAL is normal for a person, thing, or group : average or usual. Exhibiting the qualities, traits, or characteristics that identify a kind, class, group, or category: a typical suburban community. 2. Of or relating to a representative specimen; characteristic or distinctive. 3. Conforming to a type: a composition typical of the baroque period. typical implies showing all important traits of a type, class, or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality. TYPICAL definition: of the nature of or serving as a type or representative specimen. See examples of typical used in a sentence. TYPICAL definition: 1. showing all the characteristics that you would usually expect from a particular group of things…. Learn more.