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.
To hazard a generalization, the archetypal American novel in the 20th century was a story of upward mobility, whereas the novel in Europe was one of decline.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
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 • Dec. 18, 2025
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 • Oct. 17, 2025
But Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin is not the archetypal player.
From BBC • Oct. 6, 2025
The shadowshapers’ mythology revolves around an archetypal spirit named Lucera, who apparently vanished mysteriously a few months back, not long after I entered the fold.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
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.
