ancient

1 dating or surviving from the distant past Rome's ancient ruins remain carefully preserved even in the midst of the bustle of the modern city Synonyms aged, age-old, antediluvian, antique, dateless, hoar, hoary, immemorial, old, venerable Related Words aging (or ageing), mature; antiquated, archaic, archaistic, dated, fusty, geriatric, medieval (also mediaeval), moldy, Noachian, obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé; old-fashioned, old-time, old-world, retro, vintage; durable, enduring, lasting, long-lived, permanent; ageless, hallowed, time-honored, timeless, time-tested, timeworn, traditional, tried, tried-and-true; classic, classical; prehistoric (also prehistorical), primeval, primordial Near Antonyms fresh, vernal, young, youthful; contemporary, current, latest, mod, novel, present-day, ultramodern; untested, untried; brand-new, unused, unworn Antonyms modern, new, recent

2 being of advanced years and especially past middle age used to think that age 40 was ancient until I turned 40 myself Synonyms aged, aging (or ageing), elderly, geriatric, long-lived, old, older, over-the-hill, senescent, senior, unyoungRelated Words centenarian, nonagenarian, octogenarian, septuagenarian, sexagenarian; oldish; adult, grown-up, mature, middle-aged; pensioned, retired, superannuated; matriarchal, patriarchal, venerable; anile, decrepit, doddering, senile, spavined, tottery; overage (also overaged)Near Antonyms ageless; youngish; adolescent, immature, juvenile, preteen, puerile; minor, underage; callow, green, inexperienced, raw; babyish, childish, childlike, infantile, infantine, kiddishAntonyms young, youthful

3 relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period the ancient Inca built a vast network of roads Synonyms early, primal, primeval, primitive, primordialRelated Words budding, embryonic, germinal, infant; aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric (also prehistorical); obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passéNear Antonyms advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher; full-blown, full-fledged, full-scaleAntonyms late

a person of advanced years ancients in the tribe are accorded great respect and valued for their wisdom Synonyms senior citizen, elder, geriatric, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, seniorRelated Words gaffer, graybeard, patriarch, whitebeard; beldam (or beldame), dowager, grandam (or grandame); adult, grown-up; dotardNear Antonyms adolescent, minor; child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy)Antonyms youngster, youth