antiquing

American  

[an-tee-king] / ænˈti kɪŋ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of antiquing

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

Example Sentences

I hardly ever find really good antiquing things there, because those are at antique stores and they’re usually pretty pricey.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Two lamps weren’t just two lamps, but the best outing she spent antiquing with my grandmother before she passed away from Alzheimer’s disease.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2024

“We love to go to estate sales and antiquing together — it’s hard sometimes because we all like the same things!”

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2023

At this year’s TromaDance, the Demmers sat in lawn chairs next to a newly renovated drive-in speaker that Mr. Demmer found and repaired while antiquing in Detroit.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2021

Occasionally she disappears for the day, to go antiquing in the surrounding towns.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri