What does exemplarily mean?
"Exemplarily" is a formal adverb meaning in a way that deserves imitation or serves as a model of good conduct or quality. It describes actions performed with such distinction that they set a standard for others: a soldier may serve exemplarily, a company may handle a complaint exemplarily, or an employee may behave exemplarily under pressure. Derived from "exemplary," which traces back through Late Latin exemplaris to Latin exemplum ("a pattern or example"), the word carries strongly positive connotations and belongs chiefly to elevated registers — official commendations, court judgments, performance reviews, and formal writing. In casual speech, speakers typically prefer phrases such as "in an exemplary way" instead. Its rarity gives it weight: when a person or institution is described as acting exemplarily, the word signals not mere competence but conduct worth holding up as a benchmark.
adverbIn a manner that serves as an excellent example or model; in a way worthy of imitation.
- In a manner deserving of imitation; so as to set an excellent or model example.
"The new recruits performed exemplarily throughout the demanding training programme."
"The charity's volunteers behaved exemplarily during the crisis, earning praise from local officials."
"He was commended for conducting himself exemplarily under intense pressure."
It's one of English's rare six-syllable adverbs built on a single Latin root — the same root that gave us 'sample' by way of Old French.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exemplarily
The word derives from "exemplary," formed from the Late Latin adjective exemplaris, itself rooted in the Latin noun exemplum, meaning "pattern, specimen, or example." Exemplum comes from eximere, "to take out," originally suggesting something taken out as a sample. The same Latin root travelled into Old French as essaample, giving modern English "sample" — making these apparent strangers true cognates. "Exemplarily" emerged in English as the adverbial form, following the standard pattern of adding -ly to Latinate adjectives.
Related word forms
How exemplarily is actually used
Formal and relatively rare in everyday speech; it appears most often in official reports, citations, legal judgments, and evaluations of conduct or service. The simpler phrase 'in an exemplary manner' is more common in conversation.
Easily confused with exemplarily
"Exemplary" is the adjective meaning serving as a desirable model, while "exemplarily" is its adverb form describing how an action is carried out.