archetypal
Americanadjective
adjective
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perfect or typical as a specimen of something
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being an original model or pattern or a prototype
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psychoanal of or relating to Jungian archetypes
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constantly recurring as a symbol or motif in literature, painting, etc
Other Word Forms
- archetypally adverb
Etymology
Origin of archetypal
Explanation
An archetypal thing represents an original type after which other, similar things are patterned. With her green skin, black garb, and evil ways, the Wicked Witch of the West is an archetypal villain. The main characters in Romeo and Juliet are the archetypal "star-crossed lovers" — we often think of them first, and use them as examples. Similarly, Superman, with his chiseled looks, herculean strength, and good conscience, is an archetypal superhero. (Contrast him with Wolverine, whose retracting claws, violent outbursts, and brooding make him an archetypal "anti-hero.")
Vocabulary lists containing archetypal
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Four
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"'Blaxicans' and Other Reinvented Americans," Vocabulary from the argument
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For the latter half of samurai history, armor was a facade, a largely symbolic display of authority for an archetypal military class whose members became bureaucrats and eventually pop-culture icons.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
Lockhart’s casting as Maureen Robinson in “Lost in Space” feels like a line drawn from Ruth Martin, “Lassie” having established her as an archetypal figure of motherhood.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025
The characters seem conscious that they are playing archetypal heroic or tragic roles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025
For all of his archetypal good looks, Redford had 10 times the depth underneath, bringing volatility and humanity to even his most surface roles.
From Salon • Sep. 21, 2025
He was the archetypal theoretical physicist: it was said of him that even his presence in the same town would make experiments go wrong!
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
