Archetypal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈär-ki-ˌtīp/ ar·che·type

Meaning & Definition of Archetypal

Archetypal (noun)

  1. the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies, prototype; also, a perfect example
  2. idea
  3. an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of Carl Gustav Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual

Archetypal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated

    "St. Peter's basilica in Rome is considered by some art historians to be the archetypal structure in the baroque style"

    similar: classic, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook
    related: ideal, nonpareil, special, unique, absolute, flawless, impeccable, perfect, A-OK, A1, bang-up, banner, capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, nifty, par excellence, prime, primo (slang), sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wizard (chiefly British), wonderful, exceptional, fancy, high-grade
    near: bad, low-grade, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory, atrocious, execrable, vile, wretched, deficient, disappointing, failed, inadequate, inferior, average, normal, ordinary, representative, typical, mediocre, second-class, second-rate

  2. having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind

    "the movie's hero is pretty archetypal, lacking in any distinctive qualities that would distinguish him from countless other masked avengers"

    similar: average, characteristic, normal, regular, representative, standard, true, typical
    related: common, commonplace, conventional, customary, everyday, ordinary, usual, wonted, workaday, classic, textbook, vintage, expected, familiar, habitual, predictable, routine, unexceptional, unremarkable, predominant, preponderant
    opposite: aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, deviant, irregular, nonrepresentative, nontypical, untypical
    near: uncommon, unconventional, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted, distinctive, especial, exceptional, extraordinary, infrequent, noteworthy, rare, remarkable, singular, special, unexpected, unfamiliar, unique, unpredictable, eccentric, idiosyncratic, nonconformist, peculiar, unknown, unorthodox, curious, erratic, funky, funny, odd, oddball, offbeat, outlandish, quirky, screwy, strange, wacky, way-out, bizarre, fantastic, far-out, freak, freakish, kooky, out-of-the-way, outrageous, outré, unnatural, weird, wild

Related Entry: Archetype (noun)

Archetype is a different word from Archetypal. The synonyms below are for archetype, not for archetypal.

  1. something from which copies are made

    "Beowulf is considered by some scholars to be the archetype for medieval British heroic tales"

    similar: original, prototype
    related: source, example, mold, paradigm, pattern, beau ideal, classic, exemplar, ideal, model, nonpareil, paragon, blueprint, draft
    near: copy, imitation, replica, reproduction, counterfeit, fake, forgery, sham

  2. something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed

    "the abacus is sometimes cited as the archetype of the modern digital calculator"

    similar: ancestor, antecedent, daddy, foregoer, forerunner, granddaddy, precursor, predecessor, prototype
    related: model, original, originator, sire, father, mother
    opposite: descendant
    near: by-product, derivative, offshoot, outgrowth, spin-off, daughter, son

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Archetypal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Archetypal:

classic, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook, average, characteristic, normal, regular, representative, standard, true, typical

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Archetypal

Words with the opposite meaning of Archetypal:

aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, deviant, irregular, nonrepresentative, nontypical, untypical

Related Words for Archetypal

ideal, nonpareil, special, unique, absolute, flawless, impeccable, perfect, A-OK, A1, bang-up, banner, capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, nifty, par excellence

Near Antonyms of Archetypal

bad, low-grade, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory, atrocious, execrable, vile, wretched, deficient, disappointing, failed, inadequate, inferior, average, normal, ordinary, representative, typical, mediocre, second-class, second-rate, uncommon, unconventional, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted, distinctive, especial, exceptional

Word Forms of Archetypal

Derived words: archetypal (adjective), archetypally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Archetypal

Latin archetypum, from Greek archetypon, from neuter of archetypos archetypal, from archein + typos type

First known use: 1545

Frequently Asked Questions about Archetypal

What does "Archetypal" mean?

"Archetypal" means the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies, prototype; also, a perfect example. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies, prototype; also, a perfect example. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Archetypal"?

Other words for "Archetypal" include classic, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential and textbook. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Archetypal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Archetypal"?

There are 85 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Archetypal". Common alternatives include classic, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook, average and characteristic.

What is the opposite of "Archetypal"?

Antonyms of "Archetypal" include aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, deviant, irregular, nonrepresentative and nontypical. Near antonyms include bad, low-grade, poor and substandard.

How do you use "Archetypal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Archetypal" in a sentence: "St. Peter's basilica in Rome is considered by some art historians to be the archetypal structure in the baroque style"; "the movie's hero is pretty archetypal, lacking in any distinctive qualities that would distinguish him from countless other masked avengers".

Is "Archetypal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Archetypal" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Archetypal"?

"Archetypal" is pronounced /ˈär-ki-ˌtīp/ and divided into syllables as ar·che·type.

What is the origin of the word "Archetypal"?

"Archetypal" comes from Latin archetypum, from Greek archetypon, from neuter of archetypos archetypal, from archein + typos type. First known use: 1545.