antique

[ an-teek ]

adjective

1. of or belonging to the past; not modern.

   Synonyms: archaic, bygone

2. dating from a period long ago:

   antique furniture.

   Synonyms: obsolescent, obsolete, old

3. noting or pertaining to automobiles approximately 25 years old or more.
4. in the tradition, fashion, or style of an earlier period; old-fashioned; antiquated.
5. of or belonging to the ancient Greeks and Romans.
6. (of paper) neither calendered nor coated and having a rough surface.
7. ancient ¹.

noun

1. any work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or the like, created or produced in a former period, or, according to U.S. customs laws, 100 years before date of purchase.
2. the antique style, usually Greek or Roman, especially in art.
3. Printing. a style of type.

verb (used with object)

, an·tiqued, an·ti·quing.

1. to make or finish (something, especially furniture) in imitation of antiques.
2. to emboss (an image, design, letters, or the like) on paper or fabric.

verb (used without object)

, an·tiqued, an·ti·quing.

1. to shop for or collect antiques:

   She spent her vacation antiquing in Boston.

antique

/ ænˈtiːk /

noun

1. 1. a decorative object, piece of furniture, or other work of art created in an earlier period, that is collected and valued for its beauty, workmanship, and age
   2. ( as modifier )

      an antique shop

2. any object made in an earlier period
3. the antique
   the style of ancient art, esp Greek or Roman art, or an example of it

adjective

1. made in or in the style of an earlier period
2. of or belonging to the distant past, esp of or in the style of ancient Greece or Rome
3. informal.
   old-fashioned; out-of-date
4. archaic.
   aged or venerable
5. (of paper) not calendered or coated; having a rough surface

verb

1. tr to give an antique appearance to

Other Words From

• an·tiquely adverb
• an·tiqueness noun
• pseudo·an·tique adjective noun
• quasi-an·tique adjective
• suban·tique adjective
• suban·tiquely adverb
• suban·tiqueness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antique¹

1520–30; earlier also anticke (< Middle French antique ) < Latin antīiquus, antīicus in front, existing earler, ancient; antic, posticum

Word History and Origins

Origin of antique¹

C16: from Latin antīquus ancient, from ante before

Synonym Study

See ancient ¹.

Example Sentences

Steeped in Gothic and Renaissance-era references, Bernad’s romantic designs feature almost exclusively antique lace and crochet in shades of cream and ivory, and sometimes black or the softest pink.

From Los Angeles Times

The addition of the items from the Sir Percival David Foundation will also make the museum's stock of the antiques one of the most important outside of the Chinese-speaking world.

From BBC

Unfolding on a set of distressed wooden planks and hanging lanterns, “Our Town” gleams like a restored antique in this Broadway revival.

From Los Angeles Times

On the day of what is without exaggeration being called the most consequential election of our time, ignoring political news in favor of watching an antique cheese slicer being restored may seem frivolous.

From Los Angeles Times

Peruse the antique mall for vintage earrings My boyfriend’s from Sherman Oaks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• antiquity
• artifact
• heirloom
• relic