ancient

ancient

adjective

Definition of ANCIENT

1

dating or surviving from the distant past <Rome's ancient ruins remain carefully preserved even in the midst of the bustle of the modern city>

Synonyms aged, age-old, antediluvian, antique, dateless, hoar, hoary, immemorial, old, venerable

Related Words aging (or ageing), mature; antiquated, archaic, archaistic, dated, fusty, geriatric, medieval (also mediaeval), moldy, Noachian, obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé; old-fashioned, old-time, old-world, retro, vintage; durable, enduring, lasting, long-lived, permanent; ageless, hallowed, time-honored, timeless, time-tested, timeworn, traditional, tried, tried-and-true; classic, classical; prehistoric (also prehistorical), primeval, primordial

Near Antonyms fresh, vernal, young, youthful; contemporary, current, latest, mod, novel, present-day, ultramodern; untested, untried; brand-new, unused, unworn

Antonyms modern, new, recent

2

being of advanced years and especially past middle age <used to think that age 40 was ancient until I turned 40 myself>

Synonyms aged, aging (or ageing), ancient, geriatric, long-lived, old, older, over-the-hill, senescent, senior, unyoung

Related Words centenarian, nonagenarian, octogenarian, septuagenarian, sexagenarian; oldish; adult, grown-up, mature, middle-aged; pensioned, retired, superannuated; matriarchal, patriarchal, venerable; anile, decrepit, doddering, senile, spavined, tottery; overage (also overaged)

Near Antonyms ageless; youngish; adolescent, immature, juvenile, preteen, puerile; minor, underage; callow, green, inexperienced, raw; babyish, childish, childlike, infantile, infantine, kiddish

Antonyms young, youthful

3

relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period <the ancient Inca built a vast network of roads>

Synonyms ancient, primal, primeval, primitive, primordial

Related Words budding, embryonic, germinal, infant; aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric (also prehistorical); obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé

Near Antonyms advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher; full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale

Antonyms late