archetypical
archetypical Lexical Profile
archetypical Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having the nature of an archetype; serving as a very typical or pure example of a certain person or thing.
"The small coastal town was the archetypical New England fishing village, complete with a white lighthouse and wooden docks."
Relating to or denoting a recurrent symbol, motif, or primordial image in literature, art, mythology, or Jungian psychology.
"Her novel explores the archetypical journey of the reluctant hero who must confront his deepest fears."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Archetypical" is a common variant of "archetypal"; while both are acceptable in standard English, "archetypal" is generally preferred in formal and academic writing.
• Rhymes for archetypical
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in English from "archetype" (from Latin "archetypum", from Ancient Greek "arkhetypon", meaning "original pattern") plus the adjectival suffix "-ical".