WordValeparadigm
a typical model or pattern
a typical model or framework
In more detail
1. (noun) a typical example or pattern of something; a model that shows how something works or should be done
2. (noun) a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that defines how people understand and work within a particular field or discipline
Examples
- The company's success created a new paradigm for how businesses could operate sustainably.
- Einstein's theory of relativity represented a paradigm shift in physics that changed how scientists understood space and time.
How to use paradigm
Paradigm is used in both general and specialized contexts. In everyday usage, it refers to a typical example or pattern to follow. In academic and professional discourse, especially in science and philosophy, it describes a comprehensive framework of assumptions and methods that structure inquiry within a field. It often appears in discussions of major changes in thinking or methodology.
Common phrases
- paradigm shift
- dominant paradigm
- new paradigm
- paradigm change
- within a paradigm
Synonyms
model · pattern · framework · example · template
Word family
paradigmatic (adjective) · paradigmatically (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use paradigm as a simple synonym for 'example' or 'pattern' without recognizing its stronger sense of a systematic, foundational framework that governs how knowledge is produced or understood within a discipline.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD