old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.
old houses
an old sweater of mine
ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.
ancient accounts of dragons
venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.
the family's venerable patriarch
antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.
collected antique Chippendale furniture
antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.
antiquated teaching methods
archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.
the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period
obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.
a computer that makes earlier models obsolete
Example Sentences
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
Adjective
Rebecca Margao of The Shed DC shares her best tips for buying vintage decor, plus the difference between vintage and antique accessories. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 Searches for vintage or antique couches on Etsy increased by 126 percent in 2021 compared with 2019.Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2022 Working with interior designer James Jamieson, Barrett has transformed it into a fantasia of resonant art (from both her personal collection and Barrett Barrera’s), vintage and antique furniture, and bold prints. Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, 22 Feb. 2021 With this in mind, the duo used their aesthetic sensibilities to open an antique-store-meets-tea-and-coffee-shop concept in November 2021. Sarah Burchard, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Plus, the shop is located near tons of other antique shops worth popping into. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 27 July 2022 Peltz and his wife of 30 years, Pamela, started the Fayette venture as an antique store. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 28 June 2022 The rabbit was found at an antique store and used to be part of the display for a Russell Stover candy store. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2022 Alone Together, premiering at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival and Rare Objects, a film about an antique store and the stories behind the item. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 27 May 2022
Noun
Like most of the custom furniture, the cabinet sits on a vintage metal base, many of which are salvaged from old sewing tables, warehouse carts or other antique frames scrounged from flea markets, roadside freebies and even dumpsters. Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2022 How important is an antique’s provenance, or history of ownership and documentation of origin?oregonlive, 31 May 2022 Wolfe, who co-hosted History's antique-hunting reality show with Fritz, told People in a statement published Monday that Fritz’ privacy during his recovery is crucial. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 26 July 2022 Forest Grove Concours D’Elegance Coming up on its 40th year, this annual classic car show features more than 300 antique, collector, and special interest automobiles loved by their owners, and admired by car fans across the region.oregonlive, 13 July 2022 The most expensive antique corkscrew ever sold was a simple 19th Century design made from 800-year-old materials from the Old London Bridge when it was dismantled. Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Few experiences are as discomfiting as attending a lingerie trade show in an antique, pre-pandemic underwire bra, in need of something new and kind.Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2022 Its antique and estate jewelry department continues to occupy a location on the store’s seventh floor next to BG Restaurant. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 24 Apr. 2022 Visitors learned about the painting's daring heist from the University of Arizona Museum of Art in 1985 and surprising recovery three decades later in a New Mexico antique store. Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic, 7 June 2022
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 Matte, polished, antiqued and brushed give home decorators many options to provide interest and depth.Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Noun, and Verb
Middle French, from Latin antiquus, from ante before — more at ante-