Definition

1. Noun:

   • A category or class sharing common characteristics: "type" refers to a group of people or things that are similar in form, quality, or character.
   • A person or thing that exemplifies the characteristics of a class: "type" can mean a perfect example or representative of a particular group.
   • Printed characters or letters: In printing, "type" refers to the small blocks bearing a raised character used for printing, or collectively to the style or size of printed text.
   • (Biology) A taxonomic group: In biology, a "type" is the specimen or taxon used to define the characteristics of a higher taxonomic rank.

2. Verb:

   • To write using a typewriter or keyboard: The action of producing text using a machine with keys.
   • To classify or categorize: To identify someone or something as belonging to a particular category based on shared characteristics.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She is not my type of person. (She does not share the characteristics I typically like.)
  • This font uses a very elegant type. (This font uses a very elegant style of printed letters.)
  • The museum has various types of ancient pottery. (The museum has different categories of ancient pottery.)

• Verb:

  • Please type your essay and submit it electronically. (Please write your essay using a computer keyboard.)
  • The psychologist tried to type the patient's personality. (The psychologist tried to categorize the patient's personality.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be true to type": to behave exactly as one would expect from someone of that category.
  • The villain in the story was true to type, being cruel and selfish.
• "to revert to type": to return to one's original or natural character after a period of change.
  • After trying to be polite, he quickly reverted to type and started arguing.

Variants and Related Words

• Typical (adj): Having the distinctive qualities of a particular type; representative.
  • This painting is typical of his early work.
• Typify (verb): To be a perfect example of something.
  • His dedication typifies the spirit of the team.
• Typist (noun): A person who types, especially as a job.
  • She works as a typist in a law firm.

Synonyms

• Noun: Kind, sort, category, class, variety, genre, model, example.
• Verb: Classify, categorize, identify, key (in), input.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Type up: To produce a neat, typed version of written or draft material.
  • Can you type up the meeting notes by tomorrow?
• Type out: To write something in full using a typewriter or keyboard.
  • He typed out a long letter of complaint.

Related Idioms

• Set (or cast) in type: To arrange text for printing using physical type blocks. Figuratively, it can mean something is fixed and unchangeable.
  • The book is finished; the final pages are being set in type.
  • His opinions seem set in type; he never considers new ideas.
• A type A personality: A pattern of behavior characterized by competitiveness, ambition, and a sense of urgency.
  • As a type A personality, she is always striving to meet deadlines.

Noun

1. a small metal block bearing a raised character on one end; produces a printed character when inked and pressed on paper
   • he dropped a case of type, so they made him pick them up
2. all of the tokens of the same symbol
   • the word `element' contains five different types of character
3. printed characters
   • small type is hard to read
4. (biology) the taxonomic group whose characteristics are used to define the next higher taxon
5. a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
   • a real character
   • a strange character
   • a friendly eccentric
   • the capable type
   • a mental case
6. a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
   • what type of sculpture do you prefer?

Verb

1. identify as belonging to a certain type
   • Such people can practically be typed
2. write by means of a keyboard with types
   • type the acceptance letter, please