antiquated
Americanadjective
-
continued from, resembling, or adhering to the past; old-fashioned.
antiquated attitudes.
-
no longer used; obsolete or obsolescent.
The spinning wheel is an antiquated machine.
-
aged; old.
antiquated aunts and uncles.
adjective
-
outmoded; obsolete
-
aged; ancient
Synonym Usage
See ancient 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of antiquated
Explanation
Something is antiquated when it is so old that it is no longer useful. If your parents believe that you shouldn't use the Internet when you write papers for school, you might call their ideas antiquated. Something is antiquated when it is so old, it's like an antique or recognizable from another era and has the negative feel of being thoroughly outmoded. Things like typewriters, sealing wax for letters, and ideas of proper etiquette all seem antiquated in modern society. Currently, things get antiquated ever faster — 5-inch floppy disks for computers and dial-up modems were very modern fifteen years ago, but now they're antiquated.
Vocabulary lists containing antiquated
Good Riddance
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ancient Wisdom: Synonyms for "Old"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: July 28 - August 3, 2018
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Warsh strongly hinted the Fed would do the same, rather than rely primarily on incomplete or outdated government data collected through antiquated methods.
From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026
So what’s the catalyst for his noteworthy preoccupation with masculinity and all these archetypal characters who embody its antiquated themes?
From Salon • May 27, 2026
Carr has long argued that the ownership limits are antiquated and anti-competitive and should be changed.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
The funding mechanisms are complicated, the language antiquated and much about the income remains under a padlock of privacy.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
They were in the radio room now—with its already subtly antiquated equipment, untouched for the ten years previous to their arrival.
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
