antiquarian

1 of 2

noun

an·​ti·​quar·​i·​an ˌan-tə-ˈkwer-ē-ən 

: one who collects or studies antiquities

antiquarian

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to antiquarians or antiquities

2

: dealing in old or rare books

antiquarianism

ˌan-tə-ˈkwer-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

noun

Examples of antiquarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At last year’s antiquarian fair, a single volume by Mr. Jones, a cookbook of recipes from fellow prisoners, sold for $20,000 to the University of California at Berkeley’s Bancroft Library, according to Mr. Kinmont, who handled the sale. —Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

In some quarters, preservation is thought of as an antiquarian undertaking, a sentimental allegiance to structures that have ceased to function and so have relinquished their right to exist. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024

Adjective

With the help of his in-house team, each piece has been sourced from antique markets, prestigious auction houses, and antiquarian dealers around the world. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

One impressive example of the platform’s power is the antiquarian bookstore Willbrand in Cologne, Germany. —Leila Herrmann, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1595, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for antiquarian

• libertarian
• millenarian
• nonsectarian
• proletarian
• sanitarian
• trinitarian
• unitarian
• vegetarian
• veterinarian
• agrarian
• aquarian
• barbarian

Kids Definition

antiquarian

1 of 2 noun

an·​ti·​quar·​i·​an ˌant-ə-ˈkwer-ē-ən 

: antiquary

antiquarian

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to antiquaries or antiquities