archetypal

American  

[ahr-ki-tahy-puhl] / ˌɑr kɪˈtaɪ pəl /

Sometimes archetypical

adjective

1. of or having the nature of an archetype, or original model or prototype.

   an archetypal evil stepmother.

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Etymology

Origin of archetypal

archetyp(e) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

His early characters were consistently archetypal, plucked from the average high school experience.

From Salon

And the sets are these massive archetypal Jungian visions that feel very much like they’re part of his inner conscious, his subconscious, and not so much objective reality.

From Los Angeles Times

I also think we want these archetypal angels in women's sport, who are role models, do everything perfectly and say all the right things.

From BBC

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

Doctorow novel, which depicts the intersecting lives of archetypal fictional characters from vastly different backgrounds, as well as historical figures.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• quintessential
• stereotypical