an·tique
(ˌ)an-ˈtēk 
in verse often ˈan-tik
1
: existing since or belonging to earlier times : ancient
antique trade routes to India
2
a
: being in the style or fashion of former times
antique manners and graces
b
: made in or representative of the work of an earlier period
antique mirrors
also
: being an antique
3
: selling or exhibiting antiques
an antique show
an·tique
(ˌ)an-ˈtēk
1
: a relic or object of ancient times
2
a
: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago
b
: a manufactured product (such as an automobile) from an earlier period
an·tique
(ˌ)an-ˈtēk
antiqued; antiquing
: to finish or refinish in antique style : give an appearance of age to
antique a table
: to shop around for antiques
Synonyms
Examples of antique in a Sentence
Adjective
studied shards from antique pots made by the Pueblos of the Southwest
loved to collect antique sugar tongs
Noun
That car is an antique.
their house is filled with rare antiques, including a collection of 19th-century African masks
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Like her own inspired apartment, filled with antique glass bottles and terracotta amphorae sourced from flea markets, these ooze style.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Here are 22 Charlotte-area places to thrift and sift in Charlotte, from high-end furniture and antique collectibles to trendy clothes and vintage sports apparel.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
While waiting for the maître d’, a customer could step on an antique scale the size of a grandfather clock.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
From there, begin your journey to Avignon, stopping through Provence’s antique capital, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, for some antique shopping at notable shops, like 50 Cinquante and Bernard Durand.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2024
Handcrafted millwork, Ipe hardwood floors and antique light fixtures sourced from around the world are among the details in the polished interiors.
—Lauren Beale, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The high-energy story plays out in a bar, and, later, an antique shop, both simply but effectively designed by Lawrence E. Moten III, with lighting by Abigail Hoke-Brady, sound by Lindsay Jones and costumes by Sarita Fellows.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
These works then appeared online and at auction houses and antique shops.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
How to sell: Fill out this consignment form to sell neutral upholstery, brand furniture, lighting and accessories, traditional antiques and vintage pieces at 50% off its selling price.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
Regarding jewelry, my father had a small summer dance hall in Michigan, but his other occupation in the winter was buying and selling jewelry and small antiques.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
The historic downtown of Eureka Springs has antiques shops aplenty, as well as amazing architecture to experience.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Museums are increasingly important buyers at TEFAF Maastricht, as the number of private individuals purchasing old master pictures, sculptures and antiques has declined.
—Scott Reyburn, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Try putting together a few antique, ornate furniture pieces with contrasting sleek, modern lines.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024
His mother's collection of antique linens and lace, meanwhile, nurtured in her son a passion for the history and poetry of textiles, which is evident in his choices from Les Arts Décoratifs's own rich costume holdings.
—Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
The Dune star, 27, who is attending this year's Oscars as a presenter, walked the red carpet in a head-turning a Giorgio Armani Privé antique rose silk gown with a single roped strap.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
Brenda Yenke, cleveland.com, 22 Aug. 2019
Meanwhile, the designers incorporated another element of American history with the wheat-motif dining chairs, rare models Rush and Klaus found while antiquing in the southeast.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 7 Aug. 2019
Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth.
—Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019
For instance, instead of a basic mirror and hook, add a fanciful detail like these antiqued mirrored hooks for jewelry and your room key.
—Ap McClatchy, The Mercury News, 29 July 2019
There are now hundreds of affinity cruises appealing to any number of interests, from antiquing to stargazing to photography to mystery novels.
—Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2019
The new look is pale and cool, with floor tiles in faded green pattern, antiqued green chairs and pretty layered white hanging lamp fixtures.
—Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, 20 June 2018
On trend right now are satin or brushed nickels and warmer antiqued brass.
—Diane Cowen, Houston Chronicle, 6 Apr. 2018
Adjective
To one collector — a York, Pa. physician and collector of antique surgical instruments who bought woodcuts depicting anatomical models — Washington sold 130 woodblocks for $118,810, court records said.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Like her own inspired apartment, filled with antique glass bottles and terracotta amphorae sourced from flea markets, these ooze style.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Here are 22 Charlotte-area places to thrift and sift in Charlotte, from high-end furniture and antique collectibles to trendy clothes and vintage sports apparel.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
While waiting for the maître d’, a customer could step on an antique scale the size of a grandfather clock.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
From there, begin your journey to Avignon, stopping through Provence’s antique capital, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, for some antique shopping at notable shops, like 50 Cinquante and Bernard Durand.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2024
Handcrafted millwork, Ipe hardwood floors and antique light fixtures sourced from around the world are among the details in the polished interiors.
—Lauren Beale, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The high-energy story plays out in a bar, and, later, an antique shop, both simply but effectively designed by Lawrence E. Moten III, with lighting by Abigail Hoke-Brady, sound by Lindsay Jones and costumes by Sarita Fellows.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
These works then appeared online and at auction houses and antique shops.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Noun
The Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant sits inside a quirky antiques shop with private tables near the window and a copper communal table in the middle.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
How to sell: Fill out this consignment form to sell neutral upholstery, brand furniture, lighting and accessories, traditional antiques and vintage pieces at 50% off its selling price.
—Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
Regarding jewelry, my father had a small summer dance hall in Michigan, but his other occupation in the winter was buying and selling jewelry and small antiques.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
The historic downtown of Eureka Springs has antiques shops aplenty, as well as amazing architecture to experience.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Museums are increasingly important buyers at TEFAF Maastricht, as the number of private individuals purchasing old master pictures, sculptures and antiques has declined.
—Scott Reyburn, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Try putting together a few antique, ornate furniture pieces with contrasting sleek, modern lines.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024
His mother's collection of antique linens and lace, meanwhile, nurtured in her son a passion for the history and poetry of textiles, which is evident in his choices from Les Arts Décoratifs's own rich costume holdings.
—Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
The Dune star, 27, who is attending this year's Oscars as a presenter, walked the red carpet in a head-turning a Giorgio Armani Privé antique rose silk gown with a single roped strap.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
Verb
Plan your Lakeside Chautauqua day of antiquing for Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lakeside Antique Show celebrates its 59th year of offering a scenic lake view, along with fabulous dealers and outstanding heirlooms.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland.com, 22 Aug. 2019
Meanwhile, the designers incorporated another element of American history with the wheat-motif dining chairs, rare models Rush and Klaus found while antiquing in the southeast.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 7 Aug. 2019
Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth.
—Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019
For instance, instead of a basic mirror and hook, add a fanciful detail like these antiqued mirrored hooks for jewelry and your room key.
—Ap McClatchy, The Mercury News, 29 July 2019
There are now hundreds of affinity cruises appealing to any number of interests, from antiquing to stargazing to photography to mystery novels.
—Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2019
The new look is pale and cool, with floor tiles in faded green pattern, antiqued green chairs and pretty layered white hanging lamp fixtures.
—Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, 20 June 2018
On trend right now are satin or brushed nickels and warmer antiqued brass.
—Diane Cowen, Houston Chronicle, 6 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antique.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antique. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antique
1 of 2 noun
an·tique
an-ˈtēk
: an object of an earlier period
especially
: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period
antique
2 of 2 adjective1
: belonging to antiquity
2
: belonging to earlier periods
antique furniture
3
: belonging to or resembling a former style or fashion
silver of an antique design
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