archetype
gb/ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/ us/ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
C1
English
mintapélda, ősminta, archetípus, projektsablon
NOUN
C1
1
mintapélda
B2
Usage pattern:
the archetype of [something]
In the film, the detective is the archetype of the hard-boiled investigator.
A filmben a detektív a keménykötésű nyomozó mintapéldája.
For many people, Paris is the archetype of a romantic city.
Sok ember számára Párizs a romantikus város mintapéldája.
She became the archetype of the self-made entrepreneur.
Learner examples
He is the archetype of a good teacher.
Ő a jó tanár mintapéldája.
This dish is an archetype of Italian cooking.
Ez az étel az olasz konyha mintapéldája.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for a single random example; it usually means the most typical or defining example.
Meaning
a perfect typical example
Collocations
the archetype of
|a classic archetype
|an archetype of masculinity
|an archetype of leadership
|a cultural archetype
|the archetype of the modern [noun]
|the archetype of a [role]
|an enduring archetype
Synonyms
model (often implies a standard to follow.)
|
paragon (emphasizes excellence and admiration.)
|
quintessence (highlights the most characteristic qualities.)
|
embodiment (focuses on representing an idea in a person or thing.)
Antonyms
outlier (something unusually different from the typical pattern.)
|
exception (something that does not fit the general rule or type.)
Themes
people
|culture
|society
Definition
A very clear example of a type of person or thing.
A person or thing that is a perfect or typical example of a particular type.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
2
ősminta
C1
Usage pattern:
an archetype for [something]
The ancient legend became an archetype for countless later stories.
Az ősi legenda számtalan későbbi történet ősmintájává vált.
Some historians treat the charter as an archetype for modern constitutional ideas.
Néhány történész ezt az oklevelet a modern alkotmányos eszmék ősmintájának tekinti.
The first design served as the archetype from which the whole series developed.
Learner examples
This early plan was an archetype for later projects.
Ez a korai terv későbbi projektek ősmintája volt.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'prototype' in product testing; 'archetype' often suggests an underlying original pattern or standard.
Meaning
an original model or pattern
Collocations
the archetype of
|an archetype for
|the original archetype
|serve as an archetype
|the archetype from which
|the archetype behind
|archetype and variation
Synonyms
prototype (often a first working version; less about symbolic ‘original pattern’.)
|
template (emphasizes a practical pattern used to make copies.)
|
blueprint (suggests a detailed plan rather than an ideal model.)
Antonyms
copy (a later version made from an original.)
|
imitation (a version that mimics an original, often less authentic.)
Themes
design
|history
|art
Definition
The first model that others are based on.
An original model or pattern from which later versions are developed or copied.
NOUN
C1
3
archetípus
C1
Usage pattern:
the [character] archetype
The story plays with the hero archetype by making the main character deeply flawed.
A történet a hős archetípusával játszik azzal, hogy a főszereplőt mélyen esendőnek ábrázolja.
The wise old mentor is an archetype found in many adventure novels.
A bölcs öreg mentor olyan archetípus, amely sok kalandregényben felbukkan.
Viewers recognized the character as an archetype rather than a fully developed person.
Learner examples
The hero is a common archetype in movies.
A hős gyakori archetípus a filmekben.
This character doesn’t fit a usual archetype.
Ez a szereplő nem illeszkedik egy szokásos archetípushoz.
Common mistake:
An archetype is a broad type (e.g., 'the mentor'), not a specific famous character.
Meaning
a recurring character type
Collocations
character archetype
|the hero archetype
|the villain archetype
|the mentor archetype
|the antihero archetype
|a familiar archetype
|subvert an archetype
|fit an archetype
|archetype in fiction
Synonyms
stock character (often suggests a less original or more clichéd type.)
|
character type (a neutral, general term.)
|
trope (broader than characters; includes common plot and theme patterns too.)
Antonyms
original character (a character not based on a familiar type.)
|
one-off (a unique case rather than a recurring pattern.)
Themes
literature
|film
|storytelling
Definition
A common type of character in stories.
A repeatedly used character type in stories, such as the hero, the mentor, or the villain.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
archetípus
C2
Usage pattern:
an archetype in [someone]'s psyche
Jung described the shadow as an archetype representing the parts of the self we try to hide.
Jung az árnyékot olyan archetípusként írta le, amely az énünk azon részeit jelképezi, amelyeket megpróbálunk elrejteni.
The therapist interpreted the dream figure as an archetype from the collective unconscious.
A terapeuta az álomalakot a kollektív tudattalanból származó archetípusként értelmezte.
The book explores how archetypes shape myths and personal identity.
Learner examples
In Jung’s theory, the shadow is an archetype.
Jung elméletében az árnyék egy archetípus.
Common mistake:
In this sense, it refers to a psychological pattern, not simply a typical example of something.
Meaning
a universal symbol in psychology
Collocations
Jungian archetype
|collective unconscious
|the shadow archetype
|the mother archetype
|the trickster archetype
|the self archetype
|archetypal image
|archetypal pattern
Synonyms
primordial image (a closer Jungian term; emphasizes deep origin.)
|
universal pattern (less tied to Jung; more general wording.)
Antonyms
idiosyncrasy (a personally unique feature rather than a shared universal pattern.)
Themes
psychology
|culture
Definition
In psychology, a universal idea or image that many people share.
In Jungian psychology, an inherited universal image or pattern of thought that appears across cultures and influences feelings and behavior.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
archetípus
C1
Usage pattern:
use an archetype to generate [something]
We used an archetype to generate a new service with the standard folder structure.
Egy projektsablont használtunk, hogy egy új szolgáltatást hozzunk létre szabványos mappastruktúrával.
Choose the right archetype so the project includes testing and logging by default.
Válaszd a megfelelő projektsablont, hogy a projekt alapból tartalmazza a tesztelést és a naplózást.
The team maintains an internal archetype for microservices.
Learner examples
I used an archetype to start a new project.
Egy projektsablont használtam egy új projekt indításához.
Common mistake:
This technical meaning is context-specific; in general English it usually means a typical example or model.
Meaning
a software project template
Collocations
project archetype
|generate from an archetype
|use an archetype
|archetype catalog
|create an archetype
|archetype template
Synonyms
template (more general; not tied to a specific tool or system.)
|
starter project (emphasizes ease of beginning rather than a formalized pattern.)
|
scaffold (often implies auto-generated structure and boilerplate.)
Antonyms
custom build (made from scratch rather than generated from a template.)
Themes
technology
|software_development
Definition
In programming, a ready-made project pattern you can start from.
In software development, a packaged project template used to generate a new project with a standard structure and settings.
Grammar
Dictionary form
archetype
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
US/ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
Syllables & stress
ar - che - type (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: archetype
- Plural: archetypes
Word family
Forms
archetypes
noun
Core family
archetypal
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
archetypically
adverb
archetypical
adjective
Expressions
a classic archetype
1/ə klˈæsɪk ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
a well-known typical type
A very common and familiar type.
Examples
- The story uses a classic archetype: the underdog who proves everyone wrong.
- The charming thief is a classic archetype in heist movies.
- She disliked the ad because it relied on classic archetypes instead of real people.
Learner examples
- The hero is a classic archetype.
character archetype
1/kˈɛɹɪktɚ ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
recurring type of character
A common type of character in stories.
Examples
- The class discussed how each character archetype functions in the plot.
- The game lets you choose a character archetype, like warrior or healer.
- She wrote a villain who starts as a character archetype but becomes more complex.
Learner examples
- The mentor is a character archetype.
jungian archetype
1/d͡ʒˈʌŋiən ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
universal pattern in Jung’s theory
In Jung’s psychology, a universal idea or image shared across cultures.
Examples
- The essay explains the mother as a Jungian archetype found in myths worldwide.
- She mapped the dream symbols onto several Jungian archetypes.
- The course introduced Jungian archetypes like the shadow and the trickster.
the archetype of [something]
1/ðə ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
the most typical example
Used to mean “a perfect example of something.”
Examples
- He’s the archetype of the demanding boss.
- That scene is the archetype of a classic romantic comedy moment.
- For many readers, Sherlock Holmes is the archetype of the brilliant detective.
Learner examples
- She is the archetype of a good friend.
the hero archetype
1/ðə hˈɪɹoʊ ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
the typical hero pattern
A very common way to write a hero.
Examples
- The novel follows the hero archetype, from the call to adventure to the final return.
- The director deliberately avoided the hero archetype and made the protagonist morally uncertain.
- Many superhero films rely heavily on the hero archetype.
Learner examples
- This movie uses the hero archetype.
the trickster archetype
1/ðə tɹˈɪkstɚ ˈɑɹkɪtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
rule-breaking clever figure
A common story character who tricks others and breaks rules.
Examples
- In many folktales, the fox represents the trickster archetype.
- The character embodies the trickster archetype, constantly bending rules to reveal hypocrisy.
- The show uses the trickster archetype to create chaos and push the plot forward.