an·tique
(ˌ)an-ˈtēk 
in verse often ˈan-tik
1
: existing since or belonging to earlier times : ancient
antique trade routes to India
2
a
: being in the style or fashion of former times
antique manners and graces
b
: made in or representative of the work of an earlier period
antique mirrors
also
: being an antique
3
: selling or exhibiting antiques
an antique show
an·tique
(ˌ)an-ˈtēk
1
: a relic or object of ancient times
2
a
: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago
b
: a manufactured product (such as an automobile) from an earlier period
an·tique
(ˌ)an-ˈtēk
antiqued; antiquing
: to finish or refinish in antique style : give an appearance of age to
antique a table
: to shop around for antiques
Synonyms
Examples of antique in a Sentence
Adjective
studied shards from antique pots made by the Pueblos of the Southwest
loved to collect antique sugar tongs
Noun
That car is an antique.
their house is filled with rare antiques, including a collection of 19th-century African masks
Recent Examples on the Web
David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Antique Beer Collectors Sale (hosted by Jackrabbit Brewing at 1323 Terminal St. in West Sacramento) - Shop antique beer memorabilia while sipping beers and eating food.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
In the rooms, antique station windows have been refurbished as quirky wall art.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
Howard’s collection includes a variety of items, like icebox refrigerators, stoves, telephones, and antique horseshoes dating as far back as the 1860s.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2024
While antique fairs are a part of weekend culture, a true vintage scene is just beginning to grow.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
Dedicated by Eliza Thornton to the memory of her late husband, J. Fitzhugh Thornton, the park board sold the statue in the 1940s for $10 to an antique dealer in Indiana after it was hit by a car.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
Handcrafted and dotted with antique brass hardware, Dad will love its quiet sophistication.
—Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024
Water Street, its main drag, has a smattering of restaurants interspersed with antique shops, but for a bite with a view, check out the popular Dog Watch Cafe overlooking the harbor.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024
Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2024
Questers is an international organization that fosters an appreciation of antiques and collectibles and encourages the restoration of antiquities and historical sites.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Nearby, the formal dining room is decked out with backlit Italian quartzite wall panels behind floating glass shelves, another stone fireplace, and a high-gloss lacquered ceiling with ornamental antique molding.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
In addition to typical water activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking, there's also plenty to explore in town, including art and antique shops, farmer's markets, wine tastings, live music, and great restaurants.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024
Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture.
—The Enquirer, 14 Apr. 2024
Located in the heart of Saint Germain, the design honors the neighborhood with lithographs, antiques, and art sourced from local stores.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
The spacious bag has several compartments to keep items organized, is made from strong double-face leather, and comes in four colors (gold/chalk light saddle, gold/black true red, black antique nickel/flax 2, or gold/taupe oxblood).
—Rachel Simon, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024
And because there are so many shops across the state, antiques here are reasonably priced.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024
Brenda Yenke, cleveland.com, 22 Aug. 2019
Meanwhile, the designers incorporated another element of American history with the wheat-motif dining chairs, rare models Rush and Klaus found while antiquing in the southeast.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 7 Aug. 2019
Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth.
—Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019
For instance, instead of a basic mirror and hook, add a fanciful detail like these antiqued mirrored hooks for jewelry and your room key.
—Ap McClatchy, The Mercury News, 29 July 2019
There are now hundreds of affinity cruises appealing to any number of interests, from antiquing to stargazing to photography to mystery novels.
—Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2019
The new look is pale and cool, with floor tiles in faded green pattern, antiqued green chairs and pretty layered white hanging lamp fixtures.
—Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, 20 June 2018
On trend right now are satin or brushed nickels and warmer antiqued brass.
—Diane Cowen, Houston Chronicle, 6 Apr. 2018
Adjective
Those products had been classified in a catchall group that included everything from hunting rifles to antique collectibles.
—David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Antique Beer Collectors Sale (hosted by Jackrabbit Brewing at 1323 Terminal St. in West Sacramento) - Shop antique beer memorabilia while sipping beers and eating food.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024
In the rooms, antique station windows have been refurbished as quirky wall art.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
Howard’s collection includes a variety of items, like icebox refrigerators, stoves, telephones, and antique horseshoes dating as far back as the 1860s.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2024
While antique fairs are a part of weekend culture, a true vintage scene is just beginning to grow.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
Dedicated by Eliza Thornton to the memory of her late husband, J. Fitzhugh Thornton, the park board sold the statue in the 1940s for $10 to an antique dealer in Indiana after it was hit by a car.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
Handcrafted and dotted with antique brass hardware, Dad will love its quiet sophistication.
—Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024
Water Street, its main drag, has a smattering of restaurants interspersed with antique shops, but for a bite with a view, check out the popular Dog Watch Cafe overlooking the harbor.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024
Noun
The original rooms, which have four-poster beds, are an Aladdin’s Cave of antiques; mine had its own patio and a swimming pool surrounded by topiary.
—Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2024
Questers is an international organization that fosters an appreciation of antiques and collectibles and encourages the restoration of antiquities and historical sites.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Nearby, the formal dining room is decked out with backlit Italian quartzite wall panels behind floating glass shelves, another stone fireplace, and a high-gloss lacquered ceiling with ornamental antique molding.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
In addition to typical water activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking, there's also plenty to explore in town, including art and antique shops, farmer's markets, wine tastings, live music, and great restaurants.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024
Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture.
—The Enquirer, 14 Apr. 2024
Located in the heart of Saint Germain, the design honors the neighborhood with lithographs, antiques, and art sourced from local stores.
—Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
The spacious bag has several compartments to keep items organized, is made from strong double-face leather, and comes in four colors (gold/chalk light saddle, gold/black true red, black antique nickel/flax 2, or gold/taupe oxblood).
—Rachel Simon, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024
And because there are so many shops across the state, antiques here are reasonably priced.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
Plan your Lakeside Chautauqua day of antiquing for Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lakeside Antique Show celebrates its 59th year of offering a scenic lake view, along with fabulous dealers and outstanding heirlooms.
—Brenda Yenke, cleveland.com, 22 Aug. 2019
Meanwhile, the designers incorporated another element of American history with the wheat-motif dining chairs, rare models Rush and Klaus found while antiquing in the southeast.
—Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 7 Aug. 2019
Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth.
—Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019
For instance, instead of a basic mirror and hook, add a fanciful detail like these antiqued mirrored hooks for jewelry and your room key.
—Ap McClatchy, The Mercury News, 29 July 2019
There are now hundreds of affinity cruises appealing to any number of interests, from antiquing to stargazing to photography to mystery novels.
—Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2019
The new look is pale and cool, with floor tiles in faded green pattern, antiqued green chairs and pretty layered white hanging lamp fixtures.
—Polly Campbell, Cincinnati.com, 20 June 2018
On trend right now are satin or brushed nickels and warmer antiqued brass.
—Diane Cowen, Houston Chronicle, 6 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antique.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to antique
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Cite this Entry
“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antique. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antique
1 of 2 noun
an·tique
an-ˈtēk
: an object of an earlier period
especially
: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period
antique
2 of 2 adjective1
: belonging to antiquity
2
: belonging to earlier periods
antique furniture
3
: belonging to or resembling a former style or fashion
silver of an antique design
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