What does exemplary mean?
Exemplary is an adjective used to describe something — most often conduct, service, or performance — so good that it deserves to serve as a model for others. A student with exemplary attendance never misses class; a soldier's exemplary courage sets a standard worth copying. The word carries strong approval and tends toward formal registers: it appears frequently in awards citations, performance reviews, letters of recommendation, and official reports. Beyond praise, exemplary has a second, legal sense: 'exemplary damages' are awarded not merely to compensate a victim but to make an example of the wrongdoer and deter others. The word derives from Latin exemplum, meaning 'a sample or pattern', which also gives English 'example' and 'exemplar'. Because it signals both excellence and instructiveness, exemplary is a precise and useful choice whenever ordinary words like 'good' or 'fine' would undersell the achievement being described.
adjectiveServing as a desirable model or worthy of imitation; representing the best of its kind. Also used to describe something that serves as an example or warning, especially in legal contexts such as exemplary damages.
- Worthy of imitation; representing the very best standard of its kind.
- Serving as an example or illustration of something.
- (Of punishment or damages) imposed as a warning or deterrent to others.
"Her exemplary conduct during the crisis earned her the respect of the entire community."
"The soldier received a medal for his exemplary bravery under fire."
"The court awarded exemplary damages to deter similar misconduct in future."
Exemplary comes from the Latin exemplum — the same root that gives us 'sample' — so when you call someone exemplary, you're literally saying they're the sample everyone else should copy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exemplary
Exemplary derives from the Latin exemplaris, meaning 'of or belonging to a pattern or sample', itself formed from exemplum ('a specimen, pattern, or warning'), from eximere ('to take out'). It entered English via Middle French exemplaire in the late 16th century, initially carrying senses related to serving as a pattern or warning before settling into its modern approving use. It shares its Latin root with 'example', 'exemplar', and 'exemplify'.
How exemplary is actually used
Exemplary is a formal to neutral word carrying strong positive connotation; it is common in evaluations, references, awards, and official commendations. In law, 'exemplary' and 'punitive' damages are largely synonymous, with 'punitive' more common in American usage. The British spelling is 'behaviour' but 'exemplary' itself is spelled identically in both varieties.
Easily confused with exemplary
An exemplum is a noun meaning a short illustrative anecdote or moral tale, whereas exemplary is an adjective describing something worthy of imitation.