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 referring to one of the grotesques—the fanciful, often fantastical mural paintings found in the ruins of ancient Roman buildings—the Italian descendants of the ancient Romans used the word antico, meaning “ancient thing.” In 16th-century English, antico (itself a descendant of the Latin word for “ancient,” antiquus) became antic, and got applied as both a noun and an adjective in contexts related to decorative art—sculptures, painting, architecture, etc.—inspired by the original grotesques. Antic shifted in meaning over time, eventually gaining the senses we use more often today: antic as an adjective describes the absurd or whimsical, and antic as a usually plural noun refers to attention-grabbing, playful or funny acts and actions.

Synonyms of antic

Noun

• prank
• trick

Adjective

• humorous
• comedic
• funny
• comical
• amusing
• comic
• ridiculous
• hysterical

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

In terms of fond memories, most folks pointed to Trae’s delightful antics during that playoff series against the Knicks in 2021. —Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' antics continue far beyond the reaches of morning TV and into the bedroom, the Live With Kelly and Mark hosts revealed on Wednesday's episode. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Everything is lit up, glowing, brooding with antic calamity. —Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

The hero’s antic flirtations with a French maiden drag on at inordinate length, leaving an organist little room for creative invention. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for antic

• frantic
• atlantic
• gigantic
• pedantic
• romantic
• semantic
• vedantic
• transatlantic
• unromantic

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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