prototypical

Sometimes pro·to·typ·al
Also pro·to·typ·ic

[proh-tuh-tip-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. being the original or model on which something is based or formed.

   Even Los Angeles, the prototypical American automobile city, is rapidly expanding its public transit infrastructure.

2. illustrating the typical qualities of a class or group.

   Scotty played center field as a quick, prototypical lead-off hitter.

   The International Harvester Farmall letter series, well-built and affordable, became an iconic symbol of the prototypical American small-farm tractor.

3. Biology.,  being a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group; archetypal.

   She graduated with a degree in biology, having conducted her senior thesis research on virulence factors of vaccinia, the prototypical poxvirus.

Other Word Forms

• prototypically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prototypical¹

prototyp(e) ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Example Sentences

Hopkins, more of a prototypical pocket passer, seemed to have a strong connection with star tight end Mark Bowman — a passing display between the duo that was featured early in Mater Dei’s contests.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The images from Levi’s social media hint at a prototypical Southern California upbringing.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama — Campbell, the prototypical middle linebacker, can learn a lot from a Lavonte David in the late afternoon of his career.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The prototypical size at 6 feet 4, the prototypical arm strength, the silky throwing motion that looks as if it were designed in a lab.

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While it’s likely traditional kick return guys — think diminutive, shifty and speedy — would still have a role, there is a question of whether prototypical running backs could be useful.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• archetypal 
• quintessential