Epitome Meaning, Pronunciation and “The Epitome Of”

Epitome (noun). a person or thing that represents a particular quality or type especially well.

Example: Her patient explanation was the epitome of kindness.

Pronunciation guide: ih-PIT-uh-mee. Capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Explore the usage · Try the three-question quiz · Keep learning

What does epitome mean?

An epitome is a very clear or representative example of something. The common pattern is the epitome of + a quality or type: “the epitome of patience,” “the epitome of simplicity” or “the epitome of confusion.”

The word does not always express praise. “The epitome of kindness” is positive, while “the epitome of arrogance” is critical. The quality after of tells you what is being represented.

Epitome pronunciation: four syllables

Say ih · PIT · uh · mee. Stress the second syllable and pronounce the final e. It is not a two-syllable word ending like tome.

Practise the phrase slowly: “the epitome of patience.” Then use the full sentence: “For me, her careful teaching is the epitome of patience.” The word remains a noun even when the whole phrase describes a person.

The epitome of greatness: meaning and examples

The epitome of greatness means someone or something the speaker considers an outstanding example of greatness. It expresses an evaluation, so explain what qualities you admire instead of treating it as an objective measurement.

• To her students, the teacher was the epitome of generosity: she gave her time freely.
• The simple room was the epitome of calm.
• The fictional character’s refusal to listen was the epitome of arrogance.
• For the narrator, the athlete’s courage and fairness made her the epitome of greatness.

Adding the reason makes the expression more informative. “He is the epitome of greatness” alone leaves the reader asking what kind of greatness you mean.

Epitome, epitomise and another dictionary sense

Epitomise (also spelled epitomize) is a verb meaning to represent a quality especially well: “Her actions epitomise kindness.” Compare “Her actions are the epitome of kindness.”

The noun can also mean a concise summary of a written work, a less common sense connected with its Greek origin and the idea of cutting something short. In most everyday “the epitome of” sentences, however, the representative-example meaning is intended.

If you meet “What is epitome and what does it do?”, first check whether the writer means this ordinary noun or a product with that name. In ordinary English, epitome names an example or representation; it is not inherently the name of a tool.

Practise epitome: three quick questions

Try each question before opening its answer. If a question asks you to write a sentence, your own correct example is welcome.

Question 1

Is “the epitome of arrogance” a compliment?

Question 2

How many syllables does epitome have, and which one is stressed?

Question 3

Rewrite “Her actions are the epitome of kindness” using a verb.

Keep learning

Watch How to Pronounce Epitome? (CORRECTLY) by Julien Miquel on YouTube.

Compare these words next: Hubris meaning and practice and Boisterous meaning and practice.

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Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Epitome. The examples and practice questions on this page are written for English Skill Studio.