antiquing

[ an-tee-king ]

noun

1. the practice of shopping for or collecting antiques:

   This weekend’s antiquing yielded a farmhouse dining table perfect for the community center.

2. the use of painting and distressing techniques to give furniture, home decor, etc., the appearance and aesthetic of a much older object.

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiquing¹

First recorded in 1720–30 antiquing fordef 1, 1780–90 antiquing fordef 2; antique ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Gazing into the windows of Elbé, the Paris shop selling affiches de voyages — antique travel posters — makes these past few months recede like a bad dream.

From Washington Post

It’s a 20th-century antique that, when foiled by 21st-century factors, can send us back to the 19th century, when Thomas Edison’s company built coal-fired dynamos on Pearl Street to illuminate Lower Manhattan.

From Washington Post

The rest comes from walk-ins with special requests such as a bridal gown or antique rug.

From Washington Post

In the Tapestry Gallery at Biltmore, Borchers incorporates teal and gold streaming ribbons on the tree, which tie in the room’s featured antique tapestries.

From Washington Post

At his farm, there’s also an antique tractor customers can ride.

From Fortune