Noun Verb A2 / B1 — Elementary–Intermediate /taɪp/

Type — Definition, Examples & Usage

A category, a kind of person, or the act of writing on a keyboard — one short word with big range.

Quick Definition

Type (noun) — a category or kind of thing that shares common characteristics; a person who has particular traits or qualities.

Type (verb) — to produce written text by pressing keys on a keyboard or typewriter.

What Does Type Mean?

Type is one of the most versatile words in everyday English. As a noun, it classifies things into groups: you speak of a type of music, a type of problem, a blood type, or a personality type. When describing people, it can be informal and slightly judgmental: "He's not really my type" or "She's the studious type."

As a verb, type means to write using a keyboard. This use became widespread with the invention of the typewriter in the 1870s and remains standard in the digital age: people type emails, type passwords, and type messages.

A useful distinction: type, kind, and sort are near-synonyms when classifying things, but type is the most neutral and formal of the three. Use sort in informal conversation ("What sort of film do you want?") and kind when you want a warmer, more personal tone ("He's a kind of creative thinker").

Etymology

From Latin typus ("figure, image, model") and Greek typos ("a blow, impression, mould"). The original English sense (15th century) was a raised metal letter used in printing — a block that made an impression on paper. From this physical stamp came the abstract idea of a "model" or "category". The keyboard sense emerged in the late 19th century with the typewriter (typewriter itself is first recorded in 1868). The same Greek root gives us typical, archetype, stereotype, and prototype.

Example Sentences

SentenceLevelUsage note
What type of music do you like? A2 type of + uncountable noun — everyday question
What type of learner are you — visual, auditory, or kinesthetic? B1 type of + countable noun — educational context
She typed the report in under an hour and sent it to her manager. B1 verb — past tense, keyboard action
This type of grammatical error is particularly common among intermediate learners. B2 this type of + singular noun — formal/academic register
The study identified three distinct personality types that respond differently to stress. C1 plural noun — academic/psychological context

Collocations

CollocationExample
blood typeDo you know your blood type?
personality typeUnderstanding your personality type can help at work.
different types ofThere are many different types of learners in every classroom.
a type ofJazz is a type of music that originated in America.
type in (verb)Type in your password to continue.
type up (verb)Could you type up the meeting notes?
not my typeHe's friendly, but he's not really my type.
type 1 / type 2Type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle factors.
font typeChoose a readable font type for your presentation.
soil typeThe soil type affects which crops will grow well here.

Usage Notes

  • "This type of" + singular or plural? Strictly speaking, this type of mistake (singular) is correct in formal writing. In informal speech, these types of mistakes (plural) is also widely accepted and heard.
  • Type as a verb requires an object or direction phrase. You type something ("type a document") or type somewhere ("type into the search bar"). Saying "I was typing" without context is fine, but "I typed him" is not standard.
  • Informal personality use. "Not my type" (of romantic partner) and "the quiet type" (a personality) are fixed informal phrases. In formal writing, prefer "personality type" or "character type".
  • Academic writing. In essays and reports, this type of is preferred over this kind of and especially over this sort of.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

What type of a music do you like?

What type of music do you like? (no article before uncountable nouns after "type of")

These type of errors are very common.

This type of error is very common. — or — These types of errors are very common. (subject-verb agreement)

She is not in my type.

She is not my type. (no preposition — "not my type" is a fixed phrase)

I typed on the document for two hours.

I typed the document for two hours. — or — I was typing for two hours. (type takes a direct object or no object)

Word Family

type (n/v) types (plural/3rd sg) typed (past) typing (gerund/participle) typical (adj) typically (adv) typist (n) typewriter (n) archetype (n) stereotype (n/v) prototype (n)

Synonyms

kind sort category class variety form style genre

Related Words & Further Learning

ability All Common Words → Grammar Glossary Flash Cards

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “type”

What does type mean in English?
Type has two main meanings. As a noun, it means a category or kind of something: 'What type of music do you like?' It can also describe a person with specific characteristics: 'He's the quiet type.' As a verb, it means to produce text on a keyboard: 'Can you type this letter for me?'
What is the difference between type and kind?
Type and kind are close synonyms but differ in register and use. Type is slightly more formal and is often used in technical, academic, or descriptive contexts: 'a type of cancer', 'font type'. Kind is more conversational and warm: 'What kind of person is he?' Both are followed by 'of': 'type of' / 'kind of'.
What is the difference between type and sort?
Type, kind, and sort all mean category, but sort is particularly common in informal British English: 'What sort of film is it?' Type sounds more neutral and precise. In formal or technical writing, type is preferred: 'This type of error is common in beginners.'
How do you use type as a verb?
As a verb, type means to write on a keyboard. Common patterns: 'type a letter', 'type your password', 'type in the code', 'type up your notes'. The present participle is typing: 'She was typing an email.' The past tense is typed: 'He typed the report in an hour.'
What collocations go with the noun type?
Common collocations with type include: blood type, font type, personality type, type of food/music/film, rare type, common type, specific type, different type, new type, and typical type. In grammar, you will also encounter 'type 1/2/3 conditional' to classify conditional sentences.
Is it "type of" or "type of a"?
The standard pattern is 'a type of + noun (without article)': 'Jazz is a type of music.' Do not add 'a' before the second noun: avoid 'a type of a music'. However, when referring to a specific example, you may say 'a type of a larger category' in informal speech, though the clean form is always preferred in writing.
What is a personality type in English?
A personality type describes a set of behavioural or emotional traits that characterise a person: 'She's an introvert type', 'He's not the aggressive type.' The phrase 'not my type' is also common in informal English to mean someone is not personally appealing or compatible.
What is the plural of type?
The plural is simply types: 'There are many types of learner.' It is regular and causes no spelling changes. Note that 'type' as a verb is also regular: types (third person singular), typed (past), typing (present participle).
What is the origin of the word type?
Type comes from Latin 'typus' (a figure, image, model) via Greek 'typos' (a blow, impression, model). The printing sense — a raised letter block used to make an impression — came first in English around the 15th century. The sense of 'category' developed from the idea of a stamp or model that exemplifies a class. The keyboard sense developed in the late 19th century with the typewriter.
How can I practise using type in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise type in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to review type and related vocabulary including kind, sort, category, and classify. Writing short descriptive paragraphs — 'What type of learner am I?' — is an excellent production activity for consolidating this word.