Meaning & use
an archetype
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A very typical example of a person or thing that others copy or recognize.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an archetype' or 'archetypes'. Often followed by 'of'.
Patterns
- archetype of something
The novel's hero is an archetype of the lonely traveler.
That building is an archetype of modern architecture.
She is seen as an archetype of the successful businesswoman.
nouncountabletechnical
In stories and psychology, an original model or pattern that appears again and again.
Grammar: Countable; often used in literature or psychology.
Patterns
- the archetype of the hero
- a universal archetype
The wise old man is a common archetype in fairy tales.
Psychologist Carl Jung wrote about universal archetypes.
The film uses the archetype of the hero's journey.
Word forms
| plural | archetypes |
|---|
Common combinations
- the archetype of
- He is the archetype of a modern leader.
- a classic archetype
- The character is a classic archetype of the rebel.
- use an archetype
- The author uses an archetype to make the story familiar.
- universal archetype
- The mother figure is a universal archetype.
Synonyms and how they differ
- prototype
- A prototype is a first model that later versions are based on, often in technology; an archetype is more about a perfect or typical example.
- model
- Model is a general word for something to copy; archetype suggests an original pattern that keeps reappearing.
- epitome
- Epitome means the best possible example of a quality; archetype focuses on being a typical original pattern.
Word family
- archetypal adjective
- Very typical of a certain kind of person or thing.
Commonly confused: an archetype or stereotype?
an archetype vs stereotype
A stereotype is a fixed, often unfair idea about a group; an archetype is an original model or typical example, not necessarily negative.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The usual preposition after 'archetype' is 'of': 'an archetype of a modern hero'. The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “an archetype”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.