What does exemplificative mean?
Exemplificative is a formal adjective meaning that something serves as an example, illustration, or model. It is often used in academic, legal, educational, and expository writing to emphasize that a particular case demonstrates a broader principle or pattern. For example, a real incident may be described as exemplificative of how an institution operates, even though “illustrative of” would often sound more natural in everyday usage. The word can also convey the idea of serving as a model, but that meaning overlaps with “exemplary,” which more specifically suggests something worthy of imitation. Exemplificative is not limited to a particular region of English, though it is considerably less common than the simpler and more familiar “illustrative.” Its precision and formal register make it useful in careful explanatory writing, while its unusual appearance may make it less suitable for casual conversation.
adjectiveServing as an example or illustration; serving to exemplify something.
- Serving as an example or illustration; serving to exemplify something.
"The case is exemplificative of how the policy affects ordinary families."
"The case is exemplificative of how the policy affects ordinary families."
"The instructor used the experiment as an exemplificative demonstration of the principle."
“Exemplificative” is the precise word for something that works as an example rather than merely resembling one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does exemplificative come from?
The word comes from Latin exemplificare, formed from exemplum, meaning “example” or “model,” and facere, meaning “to make.” Its development reflects the idea of making something into an example or using something to demonstrate a broader truth. The English adjective is related to exemplify, exemplar, exemplary, and exemplification, all of which share the same Latin foundation.
How exemplificative is actually used
Formal and relatively uncommon. In modern English, “illustrative” is often more natural when referring to something that explains or exemplifies a general point, while “exemplary” is more appropriate when emphasizing that something is a model worth imitating.
Easily confused with exemplificative
“Exemplary” means worthy of imitation or serving as a model, whereas “exemplificative” primarily means serving as an example or illustration, though their senses can overlap in formal usage.