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

Arthur was originally a scholar of the Elizabethan drama—a professor at Boston University for a number of years before moving to London and working for Quaritch, one of the oldest bookseller firms in the world focusing on antiquarian books. —JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025

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

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