antique
an-TEEK
Antique (noun) means an object, usually furniture or decorative item, valued for being old and often collectible. Example: “She inherited a beautiful antique writing desk from her grandmother.”
noun
1
An object, usually furniture or decorative item, valued for being old and often collectible.
"She inherited a beautiful antique writing desk from her grandmother."
"They spent the afternoon browsing an antique shop for old clocks."
"The dealer said the little silver teapot was a genuine antique."
adj
1
Belonging to former times; old and often valuable because of its age.
"The house was furnished with antique rugs and paintings."
"He bought an antique clock at the village market on Saturday."
"My aunt collects antique jewellery and keeps it in a glass cabinet."
How to use antique
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or someone's taste) that is old, often valuable, and from an earlier era.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
antique furniture
antique shop
antique dealer
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Word forms
- Plural
- antiques
- Third person singular
- antiques
- Past tense
- antiqued
- Comparative
- antiquer
- Superlative
- antiquest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She inherited a beautiful _____ writing desk from her grandmother.
Etymology
From French antique, ultimately from Latin antiquus ("former, old"), from ante ("before").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for antique
See all rhymes for antique →Frequently asked questions
What does “antique” mean?
The word “antique” means an object, usually furniture or decorative item, valued for being old and often collectible. In plain terms, something (or someone's taste) that is old, often valuable, and from an earlier era.
How do you pronounce “antique”?
“Antique” is pronounced an-TEEK (/ˌænˈtik/ in IPA).
How do you use “antique” in a sentence?
Here is “antique” used in a sentence: “She inherited a beautiful antique writing desk from her grandmother.”
What is another word for “antique”?
Words with a similar meaning to “antique” include disused, outdated, geriatric and oldster.
What part of speech is “antique”?
Depending on how it is used, “antique” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “antique” come from?
The word “antique” comes from Latin. From French antique, ultimately from Latin antiquus ("former, old"), from ante ("before").
Is “antique” a common word?
“Antique” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “antique” have?
“Antique” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an object, usually furniture or decorative item, valued for being old and often collectible.
What is the difference between antique and vintage?
An 'antique' is an object valued for being genuinely old and collectible, typically much older than something merely 'vintage.' 'Vintage' usually refers to items from an earlier but more recent period or style era, while antiques are prized specifically for their age.
What is the difference between antique and old?
All antiques are old, but not everything old is an antique. 'Antique' adds the sense of value, collectibility, and belonging to former times, so it describes items prized for their age rather than simply things that are not new.
Can antique be used as both a noun and an adjective?
Yes. As a noun, 'antique' names the object itself, as in 'she collects antiques,' while as an adjective it describes something old and often valuable, as in 'an antique clock.' The two uses are closely related in meaning.
What is the difference between antique and antiquated?
'Antique' describes something old that is often valued and collectible, whereas 'antiquated' is usually negative, meaning outdated or no longer useful, as in 'antiquated methods.' An antique vase is treasured; an antiquated system is a problem.
