antique

1 of 3

adjective

an·​tique (ˌ)an-ˈtēk How to pronounce antique (audio)
 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 How to pronounce antique (audio)
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 How to pronounce antique (audio)
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 noun
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
Styled by Law Roach and wearing her hair in soft waves, the actress stunned in an antique rose silk gown with a single roped strap. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 All tents are individually styled, too, with eclectic furniture and antique decor that’s meant to evoke a sense of adventure and pay tribute to the storied cultural heritage of Indonesia. Annie Daly, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 In the early 1950s, Cooper brought his son Joe into the business, while expanding to include antique rug sales. Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2024 The look of the new film, though undeniably pretty and suited to the antique flavor of the sometimes soapy story, here seems like more of a gimmick. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 The antique store Many Fine Things Gallery at 28 Main St. and the specialty grocery store Bisbee Oil & Vinegar Co. at 30 Main St. were burned in the blaze. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2024 Add in a few thrift and antique store finds to make the space all your own. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 Find it on Amazon This Wall Art Looks Expensive Create a retro, antique gallery of the most stunning images and photos with this Wall Art that comes in a set of 9. Katiee McKinstry, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Or not so mysterious; a month earlier, Renard made a stop at an antique audio restoration shop that would've worked on the tape recorder. EW.com, 26 Feb. 2024
Noun
There will be new and gently used merchandise ranging from antiques, appliances, art, books, clothes and accessories to electronics, furniture, garden items, toys, sporting goods, holiday items, housewares, jewelry, linens and pet items. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 That explosive red and brown palette was put in Polachek’s own melting pot of inspiration along with medieval silhouettes and textured, artisanal antiques. Alice Newbold, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024 Ibrahim hoped to find his collection of Zippo lighters, a copper drum, an antique radio, a sword that had belonged to his grandfather and some gold jewelry that Pinar had received from her mother. Safak Timur Emin Ozmen, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024 What’s the antique and collectibles market been like the last few years? Debbie Arrington, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024 Since 1998, this antique destination welcomes locals and visitors alike looking for vintage goods. Jessica Swannie, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 Designer Olivia Brock topped off this room with a Country French drop-leaf table, found at a local antiques store. 23 of 55 Go Rustic With Your Kitchen Design Pick a statement-making range hood to round out a rustic space. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 The business was a glittering antiques mall for set designers, party planners, decorators, society lions and Hollywood royalty. Penelope Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Another popular spot is Ginny’s & Jane E’s, a cafe that doubles as a boutique filled with funky art and antiques. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
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 Meanwhile, the designers incorporated another element of American history with the wheat-motif dining chairs, rare models Rush and Klaus found while antiquing in the southeast. Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 7 Aug. 2019 Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth. Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019 For instance, instead of a basic mirror and hook, add a fanciful detail like these antiqued mirrored hooks for jewelry and your room key. Ap McClatchy, The Mercury News, 29 July 2019 There are now hundreds of affinity cruises appealing to any number of interests, from antiquing to stargazing to photography to mystery novels. Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2019 The new look is pale and cool, with floor tiles in faded green pattern, antiqued green chairs and pretty layered white hanging lamp fixtures. Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, 20 June 2018 On trend right now are satin or brushed nickels and warmer antiqued brass. Diane Cowen, Houston Chronicle, 6 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antique.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of antique was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near antique

Cite this Entry

“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antique. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antique

1 of 2 noun
an·​tique an-ˈtēk How to pronounce antique (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on antique

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