C2adjectiveformalartspsychology
US/ˌɑːr.kɪˈtaɪ.pəl/
UK/ˌɑː.kɪˈtaɪ.pəl/
being a perfect or very typical example of a kind of person, thing or idea
In context
Sherlock Holmes is the archetypal detective of English fiction.
The film shows the archetypal struggle between good and evil.
He was an archetypal self-made man, rising from poverty to great wealth.
Words that go with archetypal
adjective + noun
- archetypal heroThe archetypal hero leaves home and returns changed.
- archetypal exampleThis is the archetypal example of a small-town story.
- archetypal figureThe wise old man is an archetypal figure in many myths.
- archetypal villainHe plays the archetypal villain in the film.
adverb + adjective
- truly archetypalIt is a truly archetypal love story.