antique

1 of 3

adjective

an·​tique (ˌ)an-ˈtēk 

 in verse often  ˈan-tik

1

: existing since or belonging to earlier times : ancient

antique trade routes to India

2

a

: being in the style or fashion of former times

antique manners and graces

b

: made in or representative of the work of an earlier period

antique mirrors

also : being an antique

3

: selling or exhibiting antiques

an antique show

antique

2 of 3

noun

an·​tique (ˌ)an-ˈtēk 

1

: a relic or object of ancient times

2

a

: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago

b

: a manufactured product (such as an automobile) from an earlier period

antique

3 of 3

verb

an·​tique (ˌ)an-ˈtēk 

antiqued; antiquing

transitive verb

: to finish or refinish in antique style : give an appearance of age to

antique a table

intransitive verb

: to shop around for antiques

antiquer

an-ˈtē-kər 

noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• age-old
• aged
• ancient
• antediluvian
• dateless
• hoar
• hoary
• immemorial
• old
• venerable

Noun

• museum piece
• relic

Choose the Right Synonym for antique

old, ancient, venerable, antique, antiquated, archaic, obsolete mean having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past.

old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

Examples of antique in a Sentence

Adjective

studied shards from antique pots made by the Pueblos of the Southwest

loved to collect antique sugar tongs

Noun

That car is an antique.

their house is filled with rare antiques, including a collection of 19th-century African masks

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On the day of what is without exaggeration being called the most consequential election of our time, ignoring political news in favor of watching an antique cheese slicer being restored may seem frivolous. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

The interiors are a paean to nautical good taste, decked with antique oil portraits, brass chandeliers, and white wainscotting. —Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

Show Some Respect Remember that shopping at an estate sale is very different than shopping at an antiques fair or thrift store. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024

Bernal Cutlery, San Francisco Vintage cooking tools murmur with history and allure, and Bernal Cutlery has a soft spot for the antique. —Scott Hocker, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Metals can be antiqued, matte, satin, brushed, or polished, and incorporating a variety of sheens can make the mix even more interesting. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2024

Plan your Lakeside Chautauqua day of antiquing for Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lakeside Antique Show celebrates its 59th year of offering a scenic lake view, along with fabulous dealers and outstanding heirlooms. —Brenda Yenke, cleveland.com, 22 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, and Verb

Middle French, from Latin antiquus, from ante before — more at ante-

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1786, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing antique

• semi-antique
• verd antique
• verde antique

Kids Definition

antique

1 of 2 noun

an·​tique an-ˈtēk 

: an object of an earlier period

especially : a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period

antique

2 of 2 adjective

1

: belonging to antiquity

2

: belonging to earlier periods

antique furniture

3

: belonging to or resembling a former style or fashion

silver of an antique design