1
: of or relating to antiquarians or antiquities
2
: dealing in old or rare books
an antiquarian bookstore
Examples of antiquarian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for antiquarian
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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
Lots of unsold copies: these mark the true heroism of a bookseller, entire series not antiquarian but merely old.
—Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for antiquarian
Cite this Entry
“Antiquarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiquarian. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antiquarian
1 of 2 noun
an·ti·quar·i·an
ˌant-ə-ˈkwer-ē-ən 
antiquarian
2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to antiquaries or antiquities
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