Archetype
noun /ˈɑːkɪtaɪp/ — The original model from which all others are made.
Definition
A universally recognisable pattern or prototype — in literature, the fundamental character types (hero, trickster, shadow) that recur across all cultures and eras; in Jungian psychology, the original templates of the collective unconscious.
Beyond the definition
We recognise archetypes before we name them. The mentor who appears just when the hero needs guidance. The journey into the unknown and back again. These patterns work because they are not cultural — they are human.
Origin & history
Greek 'arkhetupon' — from 'arkhe' (first) + 'tupos' (impression, model). The prototype against which all copies are measured.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The mentor is an archetype: Gandalf, Dumbledore, Mr Miyagi — different names for the same essential figure.
She was writing against the archetype, not to destroy it but to understand why it persisted.
Every hero's journey follows the same archetype because all our inner lives do too.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Archetype” when the meaning fits your context: A universally recognisable pattern or prototype — in literature, the fundamental character types (hero, trickster, shadow) that recur across all cultures and eras; in Jungian psychology, the original templates of the collective unconscious.
Synonyms
prototype, original, template, model, exemplar
Antonyms
variation, copy, deviation
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Archetype" mean?
Archetype is noun meaning: The original model from which all others are made.. A universally recognisable pattern or prototype — in literature, the fundamental character types (hero, trickster, shadow) that recur across all cultures and eras; in Jungian psychology, the original templates of the collective unconscious.
Where does the word "Archetype" come from?
Greek 'arkhetupon' — from 'arkhe' (first) + 'tupos' (impression, model). The prototype against which all copies are measured.