Like a few other English words beginning with ex —such as exceptional and extraordinary — exemplary describes that which is a cut above the rest.

EXEMPLARY definition: worthy of imitation; commendable. See examples of exemplary used in a sentence.

EXEMPLARY definition: 1. very good and suitable to be copied by other people: 2. An exemplary punishment is severe and…. Learn more.

If you describe someone or something as exemplary, you think they are extremely good. Underpinning this success has been an exemplary record of innovation.

Definition of exemplary adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Nov 16, 2025 · exemplary (comparative more exemplary, superlative most exemplary) Deserving honour, respect and admiration. quotations

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun exemplary, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

When something is the best it can be or reaches the highest point, it is exemplary and thus worth imitating. Exemplary comes from the Latin exemplum, meaning "sample" or "example."

1. worthy of imitation; commendable: exemplary conduct. 2. serving as a warning or deterrent: The jury awarded exemplary damages. 3. serving as an illustration or specimen; illustrative; …

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025 ex•em•pla•ry /ɪgˈzɛmpləri/ adj. so good or great as to be worthy of imitation; commendable: exemplary …