antic

1 of 2

noun

an·​tic ˈan-tik 

1

: an attention-drawing, often wildly playful or funny act or action : caper

—usually plural

childish antics

2

archaic : a performer of a grotesque or ludicrous part : buffoon

antic

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity

an antic farce

b

: whimsically lighthearted : frolicsome

Gelbart's intelligence is antic and playful.

—Lloyd Rose

2

archaic : grotesque, bizarre

antically

ˈan-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

When Renaissance Italians began exploring the ancient Roman ruins around them, they discovered fantastic mural paintings that they called grottesca (which means "grotesques," a name given to the paintings because they were found in caves, or grotte). Because they were so old, the murals were also called antichi, or "ancient things." English speakers adopted antichi, modifying it to antike or anticke, and eventually any behavior or dress reminiscent of the kind depicted in the Roman murals became known as an antic. Within 20 years of its earliest recorded uses as a noun, antic began appearing as an English adjective. Originally, it meant "grotesque" or "bizarre" (a sense now considered archaic), but today it means "playful, funny, or absurd" and the noun means "an often wildly playful or funny act."

Synonyms

Noun

• caper
• capriccio
• dido
• escapade
• frolic
• gag
• jest
• knavery
• monkeyshine(s)
• practical joke
• prank
• rag [chiefly British]
• roguery
• shavie [Scottish]
• shine(s)
• trick
• waggery

Adjective

• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• comical
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Examples of antic in a Sentence

Noun

we'll have no more of your antics, so just settle down

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Breakfast Club radio host Charlemagne Tha God previously accused West of attempting to steal Kendrick’s shine through his string of antics in the week leading up to his Super Bowl Halftime Show, which began with his appearance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards last Sunday (Feb. 2). —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025

The athletes will be congratulating each other — and often even themselves — in an orgy of antics, some qualifying as in your face and over the top. —Bob Brody, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025

Adjective

The pacing ranges from static to stately — except for one bizarrely antic dance sequence in which a troupe of shirtless men in skirts, boots, and leather helmets lets loose, stomping, dabbing, and twerking. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

Gunn’s ensemble cast of obscure misfits like Dr. Phosphorous, GI Robot and DC’s versions of Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride have so far given us a great mix of antic comic violence and poignant character flashbacks. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Italian antico ancient thing or person, from antico ancient, from Latin antiquus — more at antique

First Known Use

Noun

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

antic

1 of 2 noun

an·​tic ˈant-ik 

: a wildly playful or funny act or action

antic

2 of 2 adjective

: wildly playful : frolicsome