antic

American  

[an-tik] / ˈæn tɪk /

noun

1. Usually antics.

   1. a playful trick or prank; caper.

   2. a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture.

2. Archaic.

   1. an actor in a grotesque or ridiculous presentation.

   2. a buffoon; clown.

3. Obsolete.

   1. a grotesque theatrical presentation; ridiculous interlude.

   2. a grotesque or fantastic sculptured figure, as a gargoyle.

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adjective

1. ludicrous; funny.

2. fantastic; odd; grotesque.

   an antic disposition.

verb (used without object)

anticked, anticking

1. Obsolete. to perform antics; caper.

antic British  

/ ˈæntɪk /

noun

1. archaic an actor in a ludicrous or grotesque part; clown; buffoon

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adjective

1. archaic fantastic; grotesque

Other Word Forms

• antically adverb

Etymology

Origin of antic

1520–30; earlier antike, antique < Italian antico ancient (< Latin antīcus, antīquus; see antique), apparently taken to mean “grotesque,” as used in descriptions of fantastic figures found in Roman ruins

Explanation

An antic is a prank to the extreme. It’s outrageous, but it’s usually meant to be funny. When the senior class steals the principal’s car and manages to get it inside the gym, the antic may be condemned by the school, but everyone else probably thinks it’s hilarious. The noun antic is most commonly used in the plural form, as in “the coach was growing tired of his star player’s silly antics after scoring.” Sometimes antics can lean toward the not-so-funny side as well. Really ridiculous behavior that is more foolish than funny can also be called antics. Antic can also be used an as adjective, as in "her antic stand-up routine had everyone rolling in the aisles." It more infrequently can be used as a verb meaning "to act like a clown."

Example Sentences

Lacking any of Semple’s antic humor, the manuscript was scrapped.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

He was substituted after just one minute having not touched the ball, but the publicity antic sparked a major backlash.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

The agility competition might be the rhythmic gymnastics of Westminster, derided as less than by traditionalists, but it’s a growing sport with meritocratic principles and an air of antic fun in its favor.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2024

Even before Macbeth lays eyes on the ghost of Banquo at the banquet, he adopts a version of Hamlet’s antic disposition, laughing strangely and behaving erratically.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2024

Volkheimer’s antic ash-dusted face materializes in front of Werner, his rank insignia partially torn off one shoulder.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• joke
• shenanigan
• trick