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I'm having trouble thinking of a good example of this (I have a good example, but it doesn't make sense without context.)

Take this silly premise for the sake of explaining what I'm talking about: Imagine for a moment that whenever someone talks about a shape, the shape that ALWAYS springs to mind is square. Squares represent almost all shapes in people's minds, so when you talk about a shape, you might as well be talking about a square. In this situation, a square is the _ example of a shape. Archetypal?

(I'd also be interested if anyone else has good examples -- that's better left for a comment)

Jeremy
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  • Archetypal sounds good. Alternatives might be prototypical or canonical, maybe others. – Patrick87 Sep 26 '14 at 19:52
  • Not exactly the meaning you're looking for, but I thought I'd mention exemplar as in "A square is a perfect exemplar of a generic shape." – ErikE Sep 27 '14 at 02:51
  • I've now found an older question that has all the suggestions listed below, and more. Closing as duplicate, albeit I myself have posted an answer. – RegDwigнt Sep 27 '14 at 03:08
  • Which word is the best ultimately depends on the context but chances are I'd go with "epitome." –  Sep 27 '14 at 02:15

5 Answers5

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Perhaps you are looking for the word canonical.

Square is a canonical example of a shape.

Armen Ծիրունյան
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Not quite on the mark, but "Quintessential"

  1. representing the perfect example of a class or quality;
Marv Mills
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Epitome, as defined by Merriam-Webster:

a perfect example : an example that represents or expresses something very well

The Oxford Dictionaries:

A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type

Wiktionary:

  1. (of a class of items) The embodiment or encapsulation of.
  2. (of a class of items) A representative example.

Note how that last one suggests another good option, embodiment.

RegDwigнt
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There are two words you might useful in this context: archetype and quintessence. Both words have significant overlap in meaning and usage; my comments below attempt to tease out their differences.

Archetype, with the meaning "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", is appropriate if your intent is to present the subject in the abstract, as a model or some sort of universal template. E.g. "The princess trapped in a tower is a literary archetype; Rapunzel is the archetypal example of this."

Quintessence, with the meaning "the most perfect embodiment of something", is appropriate if you wish to focus attention on the subject. E.g. "Disraeli was the quintessential statesman."

requiem
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I'm surprised that "Typical" has not been mentioned.

2 a. combining or exhibiting the essential characteristics of a group

OldCurmudgeon
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