Meaning & use
archetype
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Meanings
nouncountable
A typical or original example of a kind of person or thing that later examples copy.
Grammar: Countable: an archetype, many archetypes.
Patterns
- an archetype of something
- the archetype of a hero
- an archetype for others
The brave traveler in the story is an archetype of the hero.
Many modern smartphones follow the archetype set by the first touchscreen models.
nouncountablespecialist
A recurring symbolic image or character pattern in literature, myth, or psychology.
Grammar: Also countable; common in school and academic discussion of stories and dreams.
Patterns
- a Jungian archetype
- a story archetype
- an archetype in mythology
The wise old guide is an archetype found in myths from many cultures.
In class we studied the mother as a recurring psychological archetype.
Word forms
| plural | archetypes |
|---|
Common combinations
- an archetype of courage
- The firefighter became an archetype of courage in the town.
- recurring archetype
- The lost child is a recurring archetype in fairy tales.
- archetype of a leader
- She was seen as the archetype of a calm, fair leader.
Synonyms and how they differ
- model
- Model is an example to copy in ordinary use; archetype sounds more original, deep, or symbolic.
- prototype
- Prototype is the first working version of a design; archetype is a typical pattern or original idea.
- epitome
- Epitome means a perfect typical example; archetype emphasizes being an original pattern others follow.
Word family
- archetypal adjective
- Being a typical original example of a kind.
Commonly confused: archetype or stereotype?
archetype vs stereotype
An archetype is a neutral original model; a stereotype is a fixed, often unfair, idea about a group.
Practice
“The character is the ___ of the rebellious teenager in 1950s fiction.”
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs a singular countable noun after the: the archetype of a kind. Stereotype does not fit because the meaning is an original pattern, not a fixed unfair belief.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “archetype”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.