antic

1 of 2

noun

an·​tic ˈan-tik 

1

: an attention-drawing, often wildly playful or funny act or action : caper

—usually plural

childish antics

2

archaic : a performer of a grotesque or ludicrous part : buffoon

antic

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity

an antic farce

b

: whimsically lighthearted : frolicsome

Gelbart's intelligence is antic and playful.

—Lloyd Rose

2

archaic : grotesque, bizarre

antically

ˈan-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

When Renaissance Italians began exploring the ancient Roman ruins around them, they discovered fantastic mural paintings that they called grottesca (which means "grotesques," a name given to the paintings because they were found in caves, or grotte). Because they were so old, the murals were also called antichi, or "ancient things." English speakers adopted antichi, modifying it to antike or anticke, and eventually any behavior or dress reminiscent of the kind depicted in the Roman murals became known as an antic. Within 20 years of its earliest recorded uses as a noun, antic began appearing as an English adjective. Originally, it meant "grotesque" or "bizarre" (a sense now considered archaic), but today it means "playful, funny, or absurd" and the noun means "an often wildly playful or funny act."

Synonyms

Noun

• caper
• capriccio
• dido
• escapade
• frolic
• gag
• jest
• knavery
• monkeyshine(s)
• practical joke
• prank
• rag [chiefly British]
• roguery
• shavie [Scottish]
• shine(s)
• trick
• waggery

Adjective

• chucklesome
• comedic
• comic
• comical
• droll
• farcical
• funny
• hilarious
• humoristic
• humorous
• hysterical
• hysteric
• killing
• laughable
• ludicrous
• ridiculous
• riotous
• risible
• screaming
• sidesplitting
• uproarious

Examples of antic in a Sentence

Noun

we'll have no more of your antics, so just settle down

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Entitled Housewife’s antics have racked up millions of views across social media and have led to dozens of private bookings at country clubs and golf courses nationwide, also helping Robinson break out as one of the casino circuit’s rising stars. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024

Some commentators expressed outrage at the counterculture antics of Cheech & Chong filling theaters, but their complaints had zero impact. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Some are lush; others have an antic hint of Roz Chast’s cartoons in The New Yorker. —Dwight Garner, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Donald Trump’s latest antic ahead of the U.S. election month is accusing the U.K.’s ruling Labour Party of meddling. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Italian antico ancient thing or person, from antico ancient, from Latin antiquus — more at antique

First Known Use

Noun

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

antic

1 of 2 noun

an·​tic ˈant-ik 

: a wildly playful or funny act or action

antic

2 of 2 adjective

: wildly playful : frolicsome