model

See also: Appendix:Variations of "model"

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

    From Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, diminutive form of modulus (“measure, standard”), diminutive of modus (“measure”); see mode, and compare module, modulus, mould, mold.

    Pronunciation

    Noun

    model (plural models)

    1. A person who poses as a subject or visual reference for an artist.
      Leonardo da Vinci chose a 15th century criminal as a model for Judas in his painting The Last Supper.
    2. A person who wears and showcases clothing, accessories, or cosmetics to promote or display them to an audience.
      The supersize model displayed the latest summer shorts fashion, tactfully representing similarly overweight teenagers.
      My mother was a hand model when she was young.
    3. A person, usually attractive, who is hired to show items or goods to the public, such as items that are given away as prizes on a TV game show.
    4. (adult entertainment) A person who performs or poses in erotic or pornographic media.
    5. A representation of a physical object.
      The boy played with a model of a World War II fighter plane.
      The biology teacher passed a large plastic model of the atomic structure of DNA around the classroom.
      • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
        I had my father’s signet in my purse, / Which was the model of that Danish seal.
      • a. 1720 (date written), [Joseph Addison], “Dialogue I”, in Dialogues upon the Usefulness of Ancient Medals. […], [London]: [s.n.], published 1726, →OCLC, page 23:
        You have here the models of ſeveral ancient Temples, though the Temples themſelves, and the Gods that vvere vvorſhipped in them, are periſhed many hundred years ago.
    6. A simulation used to analyze the workings of a real world system or event.
      The computer weather model did not correctly predict the path of the hurricane.
      • 2007 November 1, Jeff Goodell, quoting James Lovelock, “James Lovelock, the Prophet”, in Rolling Stone‎[1], New York, N.Y.: Penske Media Corporation, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 6 October 2026:
        The trouble is, all those well-intentioned scientists who are arguing that we’re not in any imminent danger are basing their arguments on computer models. I’m basing mine on what’s actually happening.
      • 2013 June 29, Leo Montada, “Coping with Life Stress”, in Herman Steensma, Riël Vermunt, editors, Social Justice in Human Relations Volume 2: Societal and Psychological Consequences of Justice and Injustice‎[2], Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 26:
        The fourth model is called the enlightment model: Actors are seen to be responsible for problems but unable or unwilling to provide solutions. They are believed to need discipline provided by authoritative guidance. The Alcoholic Anonymous[sic] groups are considered prototypical for this model.
    7. A set of parameters trained on data to perform artificial intelligence tasks such as prediction, classification, or generation.
      machine learning model
    8. A style, type, or design.
      Coordinate terms: make, marque
      we service all makes and models
      He decided to buy the turbo engine model of the sports car.
      This year’s model features four doors instead of two.
      Q: What make and model of car do you drive? A: It’s a Buick LaCrosse.
    9. The structural design of a complex system.
      The team developed a sound business model.
    10. A successful example to be copied, with or without modifications.
      Coordinate term: (person) mentor
      Near-synonym: (person) role model
      He was a model of eloquence and virtue.
      British parliamentary democracy was seen as a model for other countries to follow.
      • 1960 December, “The Glasgow Suburban Electrification is opened”, in Trains Illustrated, page 714:
        Above all, the 48-page timetables of the new service, which have been distributed free at every station in the scheme, are a model to the rest of B.R. For the first time on British Railways, so far as we are aware, a substantial timetable has been produced, not only without a single footnote but also devoid of all wearisome asterisks, stars, letter suffixes and other hieroglyphics.
      • 2013 June 22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, London: The Economist Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 70:
        Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. […] Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today.
    11. (logic) An interpretation function which assigns a truth value to each atomic proposition.
    12. (logic) An interpretation which makes a set of sentences true, in which case that interpretation is called a model of that set.
    13. (biology, medicine) An organism or species that is used to study an aspect of physiology or pathophysiology or a particular disease; often, a nonhuman one used to approximate processes in humans.
      Synonym: model organism
      They studied fasting and glycemia in a mouse model.
      They studied Mendelian inheritance in a fruit fly model.
      They studied plasmid transfer in a mycobacterial model.
    14. Any copy, or resemblance, more or less exact.
    15. (software architecture) In software applications using the model-view-controller design pattern, the part or parts of the application that manage the data.

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

    Hyponyms

    Derived terms

    Descendants

    • → Cantonese: 模特兒 / 模特儿 (mou4 dak6 ji4), 摩度
    • → Cebuano: model
    • → German: Model
    • → Japanese: モデル
    • → Korean: 모델 (model)
    • → Mandarin: 模特兒 / 模特儿, 麻豆 (neologism)
    • → Swahili: modeli
    • → Welsh: model

    Translations

    The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

    Adjective

    model (not comparable)

    1. Worthy of being a model; exemplary.
      Synonym: ideal
      • 1898, John Thorburn, The St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa: 1846-1897 : sketch, page 40:
        [...] from the land of your origin, because you demand the claims of those who believe it more model than yours, [...]
      • 1932, Nora Fugger, translated by James Austin Galaston, The Glory of the Habsburgs: the Memoirs of Princess Fugger, page 35:
        Methods of game-preservation in their extensive and well-stocked hunting-grounds were as model as the huntsmanlike management of the hunts.
      • 1934, Charles Ryle Fay, Imperial economy and its place in the formation of economic doctrine, 1600-1932, page 143:
        [...] and we press with special severity on one small country whose agriculture is as model as is her way of rural life.
      • 1956, Stephen Rynne, All Ireland, page 54:
        True, it is an untidy county; the farmhouses are much more model than the farms (when we reach Antrim we shall find that the farms are more model than the farmhouses).
      • 1961, Blackwood's Magazine, volume 289, page 525:
        At our approach the animals made so much noise that the owners of the hut peered round the door to see what was the matter; outwardly rather less model than the farm, there appeared two ancient Basques, emblematically black-bereted, gnarled [...]
      • 1968, American County Government, volume 33, page 19:
        But not all the exchanges were as model as the sergeant. Some of the exchangees showed a rigidity and reluctance to adapt.
      • 1999, Michael D. Williams, Acquisition for the 21st century: the F-22 Development Program, page 113:
        It is as model as you can get.
      • 2002, Uma Anand Segal, A framework for immigration: Asians in the United States, page 308:
        While Asians have been perceived as the model minority, it is increasingly clear that some Asian groups are more model than are others, and even within these model groups, a division exists [...]
      • 2010, Eleanor Coppola, Notes on a Life, page 140:
        All were neat and well kept which added to the sense that they were more model than real.

    Translations

    The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

    Verb

    model (third-person singular simple present models, present participle (US) modeling or (UK) modelling, simple past and past participle (US) modeled or (UK) modelled)

    1. (transitive) To create or modify something with the traits of an example.
      Many countries have modeled their constitutions on the U.S. Constitution.
      • 2026 September 23, Edzi'u Loverin, “Meet Tsūtsū, a puppet helping teach Tahltan language in northern B.C.”, in CBC News‎[3], archived from the original on 26 September 2026:
        Louie said she models the personality and mannerisms of Tsūtsū after her grandparents and the elders she interacted with as a child.
    2. (transitive) To create from a substance such as clay.
      The sculptor modelled the clay into the form of a dolphin.
    3. (transitive) To make a miniature model of.
      He takes great pride in his skill at modeling airplanes.
    4. (intransitive) To make a model or models.
    5. (transitive) To devise a simulation of.
      Synonym: pattern
      They modelled weather patterns using a computer.
      • 2023 June 28, Mel Holley, “A true transport trailblazer?”, in RAIL, number 986, page 34:
        What passenger growth might be achieved by this can be modelled, but experience shows that in the post-COVID environment, accurate modelling is exceptionally difficult.
    6. (transitive) To display an item on one's body for others to see the potential effect on their own bodies, especially in regard to wearing clothing while performing the role of a fashion model.
      She modelled the shoes for her friends to appreciate.
    7. (intransitive) To work as a model in art or fashion.
      The actress used to model before being discovered by Hollywood.

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

    Translations

    Further reading

    Anagrams

    Albanian

    Etymology

    Ultimately from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, diminutive form of modulus (“measure, standard”).

    Noun

    model m (plural modele, definite modeli, definite plural modelet)

    1. pattern
    2. example
      Synonyms: shembull, mostër

    Declension

    Declension of model
    singular plural
    indefinite definite indefinite definite
    nominative model modeli modele modelet
    accusative modelin
    dative modeli modelit modeleve modeleve
    ablative modelesh

    Derived terms

    Catalan

    Pronunciation

    Noun

    model m (plural models)

    1. model

    Noun

    model m or f by sense (plural models)

    1. model (person)

    Derived terms

    Further reading

    Cebuano

    Pronunciation

    • Hyphenation: mo‧del

    Etymology 1

    Borrowed from English model, from Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, diminutive form of Latin modulus (“measure, standard”), diminutive of modus (“measure”).

    Noun

    model

    1. fashion model
    2. model, poser; someone who poses for a photograph or painting
    3. framework
    4. example

    Verb

    model

    1. to model
    2. to become or work as a fashion model
    3. to pose
    Synonyms

    Etymology 2

    From the Cebuano phrase mo-deliver ug lunggon (“someone who delivers coffins”).

    Noun

    model

    1. (colloquial, humorous) a funeral home worker; a funeral director or funeral attendant See usage notes.
    Usage notes
    • Used to poke fun at a good-looking or well-dressed person.

    Crimean Tatar

    Etymology

    From French modèle (“model”).

    Noun

    model

    1. model

    Declension

    Declension of model
    nominative model
    genitive modelniñ
    dative modelge
    accusative modelni
    locative modelde
    ablative modelden

    References

    • Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002), Ukrajinsʹko-krymsʹkotatarsʹkyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary]‎[4], Simferopol: Dolya, →ISBN

    Czech

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): [ˈmodɛl]
    • Audio:(file)

    Etymology 1

      Derived from German Modell.

      Noun

      model m inan

      1. (art) model (artistic template)
      2. model (reduced-scale template, e.g. scale model)
      3. model (of a car, aircraft, etc.)
        Máte jiný model? ― Do you have another model?
      4. (metallurgy) model, mold
      5. (mathematics) (formal) model
      Declension
      Descendants

      Noun

      model m anim (female equivalent modelka)

      1. male model (person who models clothing, or an artist's model)
      Declension

      Etymology 2

      See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

      Noun

      model f

      1. genitive plural of modla

      Further reading

      Dutch

      Etymology

      Borrowed from Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, diminutive form of modulus. For the neuter gender, compare German Modell.

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /moːˈdɛl/
      • Audio:(file)
      • Hyphenation: mo‧del
      • Rhymes: -ɛl

      Noun

      model n (plural modellen, diminutive modelletje n)

      1. model (type, design)
      2. model (someone or something serving as an artistic subject)
      3. model (simplified representation)
      4. model (miniature)
      5. model (prototype)
      6. shape, the proper arrangement of something

      Derived terms

      Descendants

      • Afrikaans: model
      • Negerhollands: modell
      • → Caribbean Javanese: modhèl, modhèlan, modho
      • → Indonesian: model
      • → West Frisian: model

      Indonesian

      Pronunciation

      • (Standard Indonesian) IPA(key): /ˈmɔdɛl/ [ˈmɔ.dɛl]
      • Rhymes: -ɔdɛl
      • Syllabification: mo‧del

      Etymology 1

      Borrowed from Dutch model. Doublet of mode, modern, modul, and modus.

      Noun

      modèl (plural model-model)

      1. model (a person who serves as a human template for artwork or fashion)
        Synonym: peragawan
      2. model (all senses)
      Derived terms
      • bermodel (“modeled”)
      • pemodel (“modeler”)
      • pemodelan (“modeling”)
      • permodelan (“modeling, related to modeling”)
      • model ABC (“ABC model”)
      • model atom Bohr (“Bohr atomic model”)
      • model biomedis (“model biomedis”)
      • model biopsikososial (“biopsychosocial model”)
      • model geosentrik (“geocentric model”)
      • model heliosentrik (“heliocentric model”)
      • model kognitif (“cognitive model”)
      • model otot Hill (“Hill's muscle model”)
      • model pangkalan data (“database model”)
      • model prediktif (“predictive model”)
      • model proses (“process model”)
      • model relasional (“relationao model”)
      • model tangan (“hand model”)

      Etymology 2

      Borrowed from Musi.

      Noun

      modèl (plural model-model)

      1. (cooking) a type of pempek filled with tofu and eaten with clear sauce like soup

      Further reading

      Ladino

      Alternative forms

      Etymology

      Borrowed from French modèle[1]

      Noun

      model m (Hebrew spelling מודיל)[1]

      1. model (template)
        • 1994, Eli Shaul, Folklor de los judios de Turkiya‎[5], Isis, →ISBN, page 152:
          En analizando objektivamente la kestion, vemos ke en siguidad de las polimikas entre estos dos jurnalistas, Sabetay Leon, fue atakado juntos sus amigos de su partido komo "vendido" i "dalkavuk", loke no es verdad, visto ke todos los konosemos ke el es un model de "dezenteresamiento".
          In objectively analysing the question, we see that after the polemics between the journalists, Sabetay Leon was attacked along with his friends of his party as ‘a sellout’ and ‘a bootlicker’, which is untrue, seeing everything that we know of them which is a model of ‘indifference.’
        • 2000, Aki Yerushalayim‎[6], numbers 62–64, page 94:
          La lengua de kultura ke el admirava i ke konosia su literatura era el fransez, i esta es la lengua ke el eskojo komo model para el djudeo espanyol kulto.
          The language that he admired and whose literature that he knew was French, and this is the language that he chose as a model for educated Judezmo.

      References

      1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 “model”, in Trezoro de la Lengua Djudeoespanyola [Treasury of the Judeo-Spanish Language] (in Ladino, Hebrew, and English), Instituto Maale Adumim

      Malay

      Etymology

      Borrowed from Dutch model or English model, from French modéle, from Italian modello, from Lithuanian modulus (“measurement”).[1]

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /ˈmodel/ [ˈmɔ.dɛl], /ˈmodəl/ [ˈmɔ.dəl]
      • Rhymes: -ɛl, -əl
      • Hyphenation: mo‧del

      Noun

      model (Jawi spelling موديل, plural model-model)

      1. Model:
        1. Fashion, type, way or design of a product that has been released.
        2. An imitative product that is identical in form to the original but smaller.
        3. Someone who showcases clothes among other things.
          Synonyms: peragawan m, peragawati f
        4. Someone to follow and be made as a role model.

      References

      1. ^ “model”, in Kamus Etimologi Bahasa Melayu Dewan [The Institute Etymological Dictionary of the Malay Language] (in Malay), 1st edition, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2024, →ISBN, page 511

      Further reading

      Polish

      Etymology

        Borrowed from Italian modello.[1] First attested in 1561.[2] Compare Silesian model. Doublet of modła and moduł.

        Pronunciation

         
        • IPA(key): /ˈmɔ.dɛl/
        • Audio:(file)
        • Rhymes: -ɔdɛl
        • Syllabification: mo‧del

        Noun

        model m inan (diminutive modelik, related adjective modelowy)

        1. model (a representation of a physical object)
        2. model (the structural design of a complex system)
          Synonyms: paradygmat, szablon, wzorzec, wzór
        3. model (a style, type, or design)
          Synonym: typ
        4. model (way of organizing something)
        5. model (object used to prepare casting molds)
        6. model (a successful example to be copied, with or without modifications)
        7. model (trial copy of a series of technical products)
        8. model (any copy, or resemblance, more or less exact)

        Declension

        Declension of model
        singular plural
        nominative model modele
        genitive modelu modeli, modelów
        dative modelowi modelom
        accusative model modele
        instrumental modelem modelami
        locative modelu modelach
        vocative modelu modele

        Noun

        model m pers (female equivalent modelka)

        1. model (person who serves as a subject for artwork)
        2. (colloquial) funny guy (person who makes one laugh or shocks with their behavior)
          Synonyms: agregat, aparat, numer, numerant

        Declension

        Declension of model
        singular plural
        nominative model modele
        genitive modela modeli, modelów
        dative modelowi modelom
        accusative modela modeli, modelów
        instrumental modelem modelami
        locative modelu modelach
        vocative modelu modele

        Derived terms

        adverbs
        • z modela
        nouns
        • modelownia
        verbs
        adjectives
        • modelingowy
        adverbs
        • modelowo

        References

        1. ^ Bańkowski, Andrzej (2000), “model”, in Etymologiczny słownik języka polskiego [Etymological Dictionary of the Polish Language] (in Polish)
        2. ^ Maria Renata Mayenowa, et al., editors (2010-2023), “model”, in Słownik Polszczyzny XVI Wieku [A Dictionary of 16th Century Polish]

        Further reading

        Romanian

        Alternative forms

        Etymology

          Borrowed from French modèle or Italian modello.

          Pronunciation

          • IPA(key): /moˈdel/
          • Audio:(file)
          • Rhymes: -el
          • Hyphenation: mo‧del

          Noun

          model n (plural modele)

          1. a template

          Declension

          singular plural
          indefinite definite indefinite definite
          nominative-accusative model modelul modele modelele
          genitive-dative model modelului modele modelelor
          vocative modelule modelelor

          References

          Serbo-Croatian

          Etymology

          Borrowed from German Modell or French modèle, from Italian modello, from Latin modellus.

          Pronunciation

          • IPA(key): /mǒdel/
          • Hyphenation: mo‧del

          Noun

          mòdel m inan (Cyrillic spelling мо̀дел)

          1. model (clarification of this definition is needed)

          Declension

          Declension of model
          singular plural
          nominative mòdel modeli
          genitive modèla modela
          dative modelu modelima
          accusative model modele
          vocative modele modeli
          locative modelu modelima
          instrumental modelom modelima

          References

          • “model”, in Hrvatski jezični portal [Croatian language portal] (in Serbo-Croatian), 2006–2026

          Silesian

          Etymology

            Borrowed from Czech model.[1]

            Pronunciation

            • IPA(key): /ˈmɔ.dɛl/
            • Audio:(file)
            • Rhymes: -ɔdɛl
            • Syllabification: mo‧del

            Noun

            model m inan (related adjective modelowy)

            1. model
            nouns
            • modelŏrka
            • modelŏrz

            References

            1. ^ Aleksandra Wencel (2023), “model”, in Dykcjůnôrz ślų̊sko-polski, page 409

            Further reading

            • model in silling.org
            • Henryk Jaroszewicz (2022), “model”, in Zasady pisowni języka śląskiego (in Polish), Siedlce: Wydawnictwo Naukowe IKR[i]BL, page 97

            Turkish

            Etymology

              Inherited from Ottoman Turkish موده‌ل (model, “model; sample”), from French modèle (“model, example”).

              Pronunciation

              • IPA(key): /moˈdel/
              • Hyphenation: mo‧del

              Noun

              model (definite accusative modeli, plural modeller)

              1. model (person who serves as a human template for artwork; person who is hired to show fashion items to the public)
                Synonym: manken
              2. model (miniature; simplified representation; prototype)
                Synonym: örnek
              3. model (structural design)
                Synonym: biçim
              4. model (praiseworthy example)
                Synonym: rol modeli
              5. (of vehicles) production year
                2022 model bir Ford Focus ― A 2022 Ford Focus

              Declension

              Declension of model
              singular plural
              nominative model modeller
              definite accusative modeli modelleri
              dative modele modellere
              locative modelde modellerde
              ablative modelden modellerden
              genitive modelin modellerin
              Possessive forms
              nominative
              singular plural
              1st singular modelim modellerim
              2nd singular modelin modellerin
              3rd singular modeli modelleri
              1st plural modelimiz modellerimiz
              2nd plural modeliniz modelleriniz
              3rd plural modelleri modelleri
              definite accusative
              singular plural
              1st singular modelimi modellerimi
              2nd singular modelini modellerini
              3rd singular modelini modellerini
              1st plural modelimizi modellerimizi
              2nd plural modelinizi modellerinizi
              3rd plural modellerini modellerini
              dative
              singular plural
              1st singular modelime modellerime
              2nd singular modeline modellerine
              3rd singular modeline modellerine
              1st plural modelimize modellerimize
              2nd plural modelinize modellerinize
              3rd plural modellerine modellerine
              locative
              singular plural
              1st singular modelimde modellerimde
              2nd singular modelinde modellerinde
              3rd singular modelinde modellerinde
              1st plural modelimizde modellerimizde
              2nd plural modelinizde modellerinizde
              3rd plural modellerinde modellerinde
              ablative
              singular plural
              1st singular modelimden modellerimden
              2nd singular modelinden modellerinden
              3rd singular modelinden modellerinden
              1st plural modelimizden modellerimizden
              2nd plural modelinizden modellerinizden
              3rd plural modellerinden modellerinden
              genitive
              singular plural
              1st singular modelimin modellerimin
              2nd singular modelinin modellerinin
              3rd singular modelinin modellerinin
              1st plural modelimizin modellerimizin
              2nd plural modelinizin modellerinizin
              3rd plural modellerinin modellerinin
              Predicative forms
              singular plural
              1st singular modelim modellerim
              2nd singular modelsin modellersin
              3rd singular model
              modeldir
              modeller
              modellerdir
              1st plural modeliz modelleriz
              2nd plural modelsiniz modellersiniz
              3rd plural modeller modellerdir

              Further reading

              • “model”, in Turkish dictionaries, Türk Dil Kurumu

              Welsh

              Etymology

              From English model, from Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello.

              Pronunciation

              • IPA(key): /ˈmɔdɛl/

              Noun

              model m or f (plural modelau)

              1. model

              Derived terms

              Mutation

              Mutated forms of model
              radical soft nasal aspirate
              model fodel unchanged unchanged

              Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Welsh.
              All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

              Further reading

              • Griffiths, Bruce; Glyn Jones, Dafydd (1995), “model”, in Geiriadur yr Academi: The Welsh Academy English–Welsh Dictionary‎[9], Cardiff: University of Wales Press, →ISBN
              • D. G. Lewis, N. Lewis, editors (2005–present), “model”, in Gweiadur: the Welsh–English Dictionary, Gwerin
              • R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke, et al., editors (1950–present), “model”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies