model
model — adjective
1. describing a person or thing that shows such excellent qualities that others sho
describing a person or thing that shows such excellent qualities that others should try to copy them.
The school presented Mizuki with an award for her model behaviour in class.
attributive use: model + behaviour
Asher runs a model organic farm that other farmers visit each year.
The city's model transport system has reduced traffic jams by half.
Soraya was held up as a model student by every teacher in the school.
collocation: model student
- model behaviour
- model student
- model citizen
- model farm
- model school
- imperfect
suggests flaws that make imitation undesirable
Grammar Patterns
model + noun
Usage Note
Only used before a noun in this sense. Common with nouns like 'student', 'citizen', 'behaviour', 'farm', 'school'.
Common Mistakes
2. made as a small copy of something bigger, often for display, study, or play.
made as a small copy of something bigger, often for display, study, or play.
The children spent the weekend building a model village from cardboard boxes.
Niran bought a model car kit and assembled it piece by piece.
collocation: model car / model train / model plane
The architect showed Yuna a model house before the real construction started.
The children painted their model aeroplanes bright colours before the display.
- model train
- model car
- model plane
- model village
- model house
- miniature
can be used both as adjective and noun; slightly more technical
- scaled-down
emphasises the size reduction; more informal
Grammar Patterns
model + noun
Usage Note
Only used before a noun. Frequently combined with nouns like 'train', 'plane', 'car', 'ship', 'village', or 'house'.
model — noun
1. a person or thing that is such a good example of a particular quality or type th
a person or thing that is such a good example of a particular quality or type that other things can be copied from it or compared with it.
The new library is a model of modern sustainable architecture in the region.
pattern: a model of + noun phrase
Renata's essay was praised as a model of clear academic writing.
Finland's education system is often described as a model for other countries to follow.
Paloma considered her grandmother a model of patience and quiet strength.
- a model of
- serve as a model
- hold up as a model
- model for
- exception
something that does not follow the pattern
Grammar Patterns
a model of + noun
Usage Note
Often used in the pattern 'a model of + abstract noun' (e.g. efficiency, clarity, simplicity). Differs from sense 6 (ROLE MODEL) in that this sense focuses on the thing as a template or benchmark, not on inspiring imitation in people.
Common Mistakes
2. someone whose work involves displaying clothing, jewellery, or other goods by we
someone whose work involves displaying clothing, jewellery, or other goods by wearing them in photographs or on a runway.
Ritu started working as a fashion model when she was eighteen years old.
collocation: fashion model
The photographer asked the model to turn slightly toward the window light.
Nora dreams of becoming a model and walking on runways in Paris.
The fashion show featured models from eight different countries this season.
- fashion model
- runway model
- male model
- work as a model
- model agency
- supermodel
a very famous and highly-paid model, a subset of models
- mannequin
usually refers to a dummy in a shop window, not a living person; also describes a model who poses very still
- catwalk model
specifically one who walks the runway at fashion shows
Usage Note
Can be used with specific modifiers: 'fashion model', 'runway model', 'catwalk model', 'supermodel' (a top-earning, famous model). Also used for people who pose for artists ('artist's model').
Common Mistakes
3. one of several slightly different designs of a manufactured item, each identifie
one of several slightly different designs of a manufactured item, each identified by a distinct name or number — used especially for cars, computers, and other machines.
Christopher drives the latest model of electric car from that manufacturer.
pattern: latest model / new model / old model
The company has just released a new model laptop with a longer battery life.
Hoa compared three different models of washing machine before buying one.
This phone model sold over two million units in its first month on the market.
- latest model
- new model
- previous model
- car model
- phone model
- model number
Usage Note
Commonly used with brand names: 'Toyota model', 'iPhone model', 'Dell model'. Frequently appears with 'latest', 'new', 'previous', 'current', 'basic', 'top-of-the-range'.
Common Mistakes
4. a small physical copy of an object, usually built to a smaller scale than the or
a small physical copy of an object, usually built to a smaller scale than the original, often for display, education, or hobby purposes.
Romi built a detailed model of the solar system for the science fair.
pattern: a model of + concrete noun
The museum has a model showing the ancient city as it looked two thousand years ago.
Élise spent three months constructing a model of a Japanese castle from tiny wooden pieces.
The architect placed a cardboard model of the building on the meeting-room table.
- model of
- build a model
- model ship
- model railway
- clay model
- scale model
- original
the real thing that the model copies
Grammar Patterns
model of + noun
Usage Note
Used with a wide range of materials: 'clay model', 'cardboard model', '3D-printed model', 'plastic model'. Often a hobby (model-building, model-making). Differs from sense 5 (THEORETICAL MODEL) in that this is always a physical object.
5. a simplified way of describing a system, process, or situation, often using math
a simplified way of describing a system, process, or situation, often using mathematics or computers, in order to understand it or predict what might happen.
Scientists used a computer model to predict the path of the hurricane.
collocation: computer model
The economic model suggests that prices will rise by about two percent next year.
Harper created a mathematical model to calculate the hospital's energy usage.
The climate model shows how temperatures might change over the next fifty years.
- computer model
- climate model
- economic model
- mathematical model
- develop a model
- statistical model
- simulation
often a dynamic model that runs over time; more specific to computing
- framework
a broader conceptual structure; less quantitative than a model
Grammar Patterns
model of + noun
model for + noun
Usage Note
Common collocations: 'computer model', 'mathematical model', 'climate model', 'economic model', 'statistical model', 'theoretical model'. The model is an abstract representation, not a physical object (cf. sense 4).
Common Mistakes
6. a person whose behaviour, character, or achievements are considered good enough
a person whose behaviour, character, or achievements are considered good enough for others to try to copy.
Tamar's aunt has always been her model of courage and generosity.
pattern: someone's model of + quality
Many young athletes look up to professional players as models of success and hard work.
The charity serves as a model for community-led projects across the country.
Parents are often the first models of kindness that young children observe at home.
- role model
- model for
- serve as a model
- positive model
- model parent
- role model
the more common compound; always refers to a person
- exemplar
formal; can refer to either a person or thing
- paragon
stronger; suggests perfection; somewhat literary
- bad example
someone whose behaviour should not be copied
Grammar Patterns
model for + noun
model of + noun
Usage Note
Often used in the compound 'role model'. Differs from sense 1 (PERFECT EXAMPLE) in that sense 6 focuses on imitation of character and behaviour, while sense 1 focuses on being a standard for quality in a system or category.
Common Mistakes
model — verb
1. to wear and display clothes, jewellery, or other products as a job, so that cust
to wear and display clothes, jewellery, or other products as a job, so that customers or viewers can see them in photographs, magazines, or fashion shows.
Mizuki has been modelling for a well-known fashion brand since she was sixteen.
intransitive: model for + company
Asher modelled the new winter collection at Milan Fashion Week last year.
transitive: model + clothing collection
The agency asked Folake to model a diamond necklace for the magazine cover shoot.
Inês started modelling part-time while she was still at university.
- model for
- model clothes
- model a collection
- model jewellery
- start modelling
Grammar Patterns
model + object (clothing)
model for + company
Usage Note
Both transitive (model clothes/a product) and intransitive (model for a company) uses are common. The subject is always a person.
2. to shape a physical copy of something using a soft material such as clay, wax, o
to shape a physical copy of something using a soft material such as clay, wax, or wood, often at a smaller size than the original.
Renata spent the afternoon modelling a horse out of grey modelling clay.
pattern: model + object + out of + material
The artist modelled a bust of the mayor for the town hall entrance.
Ritu enjoys modelling miniature furniture from balsa wood for her dollhouse.
Nikos modelled a small sailboat from leftover pieces of pine wood.
- model in clay
- model out of
- model from wood
- modelling wax
- model a bust
Grammar Patterns
model + object (material)
model + object in/from + material
Usage Note
Frequently used with materials: 'model in clay', 'model from wood', 'model out of wax'. Closely related to sculpture. The noun form 'modelling' (UK) or 'modeling' (US) is common for this sense.
Common Mistakes
3. to design or create something so that it is based on a particular example, patte
to design or create something so that it is based on a particular example, pattern, or system, copying its structure or style.
The new hospital was modelled on a successful healthcare design from Sweden.
passive: be modelled on + source
Salma modelled her business plan after her father's company structure.
active: model + object + after + source
The education programme was modelled after a curriculum used in Japanese schools.
The developer modelled the new app on a popular messaging service from Asia.
- modelled on
- modelled after
- model on
- model after
- base on
more general; does not carry the same sense of design or craft
- pattern after
very close in meaning but more formal and less common
Grammar Patterns
be modelled on + noun
be modelled after + noun
model + on + noun
Usage Note
Commonly used in the passive voice ('be modelled on/after'). British English prefers 'modelled on', while American English uses 'modeled on' or 'modeled after'. The active voice ('model X on/after Y') also occurs but is less frequent.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- modellingnounB1
- modellernounB2
- role modelnounB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/2
All four terms describe people who display fashion, but they differ in scope and status. 'Model' is the broadest term, covering anyone who poses for photographs or walks runways for pay. 'Mannequin' primarily means a shop-window dummy, but can describe a human model who stands motionless for long periods — it suggests stillness rather than movement. 'Supermodel' refers to a top-tier model who has achieved global fame and earns far beyond the industry average, often appearing on magazine covers and in advertising campaigns worldwide. 'Catwalk model' (or 'runway model') specifically describes someone who walks the runway at fashion shows, emphasizing the live performance aspect rather than print work. For example: a 'catwalk model' might stride through a Milan show, while a 'supermodel' like Naomi Campbell appears on magazine covers and the runway alike, and a 'mannequin' stands static in a shop window.
Common collocations
Adverbs
- perfectly modelled
- closely modelled
- roughly modelled
- newly modelled
Phrases
- serve as a model
- act as a model
- provide a model
Prepositions
- model of
- model for
- model on
- model after
- model in
Etymology
The word 'model' entered English in the 1500s from French 'modelle', which came from Italian 'modello' — a small version of something. The Italian word traces back to Latin 'modulus', meaning 'a small measure', which itself comes from 'modus' meaning 'measure, manner, or standard'. The earliest English uses referred to architectural plans and small-scale copies. By the 1600s it was used for someone who poses for an artist, and by the 1800s for a person displaying clothes. The meaning of 'an ideal example to imitate' developed around the same time.