Word
epitome
Phoneticsepit·o·me
US/ɪˈpɪtəmi/
UK/ɪpˈɪtəmˌi/
Definitions
01perfect example
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person or thing that is the best possible example of a quality or style.
n. the embodiment or quintessential example of a particular quality, class, or type.
Español:epítome
“The hotel was the epitome of luxury, with gold mirrors and silk sheets.”
“The designer's latest collection was hailed as the epitome of understated elegance, avoiding the loud logos common in modern fashion.”
Usage
Typically used in the singular with the definite article 'the' followed by 'of' and a noun.
Pitfall
He is the epitome for kindness.
He is the epitome of kindness.
The noun epitome is almost always followed by the preposition 'of' to connect it to the quality being described.
Teaching tip
Learners often mispronounce this word; remind them it has four syllables (eh-PIT-uh-mee) and the final 'e' is not silent.
Synonyms
02a summary
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Archaic
n. a short summary of a much longer book or piece of writing.
n. a brief summary or abstract of a literary work or text.
“The student provided a short epitome of the long historical document.”
“The library contains several medieval epitomes of classical Greek texts that would otherwise have been lost to history.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rare in modern conversation and is mostly found in academic or historical contexts regarding literature.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“No wonder Alonso, who was the epitome of calm during his playing career, has focused on maintaining “emotional control” before opening his tenure as manager with Monday’s trip to Fulham.” “Margaretha Zelle MacLeod’s stage name came to signify the epitome of the seductive female spy after she was executed by the French in 1917.” Etymology
From Middle French, from Latin epitomē, from Ancient Greek ἐπιτομή (epitomḗ, “an abridgment, also a surface-incision”), from ἐπιτέμνω (epitémnō, “I cut upon the surface, cut short, abridge”), from ἐπι- (epi-, “up”) + τέμνω (témnō, “to cut”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/epitome
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0