archetype

[ahr-ki-tahyp]

noun

1. the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.

2. (in Jungian psychology) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches.

archetype

/ ˈɑːkɪˌtaɪp /

noun

1. a perfect or typical specimen

2. an original model or pattern; prototype

3. psychoanal one of the inherited mental images postulated by Jung as the content of the collective unconscious

4. a constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting, etc

archetype

1. An original model after which other similar things are patterned. In the psychology of Carl Jung, archetypes are the images, patterns, and symbols (see also symbol) that rise out of the collective unconscious and appear in dreams, mythology, and fairy tales.

Other Word Forms

• archetypal adjective
• archetypical adjective
• archetypic adjective
• archetypally adverb
• archetypically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of archetype¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin archetypum “an original,” from Greek archétypon “a model, pattern,” neuter of archétypos “of the first mold,” equivalent to arche- + type

Word History and Origins

Origin of archetype¹

C17: from Latin archetypum an original, from Greek arkhetupon, from arkhetupos first-moulded; see _arch- , _type

Example Sentences

Instead of playing out the sacrificial stereotype, the writers revert to the savior archetype.

From Salon

The impulse when you hear about a spin-off or a reboot is to compare and to see who fits into what archetypes.

From Los Angeles Times

He was the archetype of Italian style and elegance, reimagining men's and women's suits for a modern audience.

From BBC

Dictatorships have been all too plentiful in that period, and most people think of Hitler’s Germany or Stalin’s Russia as the archetypes.

From Salon

“My hope is that I’m getting to bring one of the greatest hypocrites to life in a way that will both make people laugh and also make them recognize that archetype.”

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does archetype mean?

An archetype is an original model that other things of the same kind will copy or be based on, as in The company’s 2007 product would be the archetype that all its later models would be based on.The word archetype is also used in Jungian psychology to refer to unconscious thoughts or symbols that seem to be universal, as in Loki and Pan are two of the Trickster archetype that appear in ancient mythology.An archetype as an original model is very similar to a prototype, which also refers to an original design or model. However, an archetype is sometimes used to specifically mean that something is considered to be the best, something that all similar things should strive to be. A prototype, on the other hand, may be unfinished or flawed. Things that are based on the prototype as an example may be quite different from it in the end.In psychology, archetype is specifically from the theories of psychiatrist Carl Jung. Jung theorized that all humans unconsciously share certain thoughts or images that are expressed in fairy tales and mythology. For example, many cultures have similar ideas of what a hero is even though they never shared the idea with each other. That similar idea is called an archetype, and the hero in a story would be a specific archetype.Based on Jung’s usage, archetype is often used similarly to the word trope or stereotype to refer to a recurring theme or an element that constantly reappears in art, as in The character was a classic example of the grizzled veteran cop archetype.The adjective form of archetype is both archetypal and archetypical, as in In this story, the wise old man is an archetypal messiah figure.Example: The award-winning film would become the archetype for the genre that many following films would try to duplicate.