role model

/roʊl ˌmɑdl/

/rəʊl ˈmɒdəl/

Other forms: role models

A role model is someone others look to as a good example. A role model is someone who is worthy of imitation — like your beloved teacher or a well-behaved celebrity.

Just as a model is something that represents an inspirational ideal, a role model is someone who inspires others to imitate his or her good behavior. Parents try to be role models for their children by being good people. A famous person who gives money to charity or helps sick children is a role model. If someone behaves badly, you could say they're a negative or bad role model — the kind of person who shouldn't be imitated.

Definitions of role model

1. noun

   someone worthy of imitation
   synonyms: model

   types:

   apotheosis, ideal, nonesuch, nonpareil, nonsuch, paragon, saint

   model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal

   fashion arbiter, taste-maker, trend-setter

   someone who popularizes a new fashion

   jimdandy, jimhickey

   someone excellent of their kind

   class act

   someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence

   humdinger

   someone of remarkable excellence

   type of:

   leader

   a person who rules or guides or inspires others