# archetypal

/ˈɑɹkˈtaɪpəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɑːkɪtˈaɪpəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/archetypal
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

representing a perfect or classic example of a type. You use this to describe something that is so typical of a group that it feels like a model for others.

For teachers: representing a perfect or classic example of a type; serving as a model or prototype. Often used to describe characters, situations, or objects that embody a specific cultural or psychological pattern.

## Examples

- The hero is an archetypal figure in many stories.
- The old library is an archetypal example of a Victorian building with its high ceilings and heavy wooden furniture.
- The protagonist serves as an archetypal representation of the modern wanderer, embodying the universal desire for freedom and the simultaneous fear of the unknown.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.