Architectural style constitutes a mode of classifying architecture largely by morphological characteristics in terms of form, techniques, materials, etc. However it is not a holistic way of understanding architectural works because of its emphasis on style. It overlaps with and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture but it is slightly different in its emphasis. While in architectural history, the study of, for instance, Gothic architecture would include all the aspects of the cultural context that went into the making of architectural works, architectural style is a way of classifying architecture that gives emphasis to the characteristic features of Gothic architecture, leading to a terminology such as Gothic style. This could then apply equally to buildings even produced during periods outside the historic period of Gothic architecture. Thus one could build a Gothic style church even today irrespective of the historic period from which the style emerged.

For a list of architectural styles, see architectural history.