antiquary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “antiquary” mean?
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques and antiquities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques and antiquities.
A scholar or expert in ancient objects, monuments, and the material culture of the past; sometimes used to describe someone with an old-fashioned or excessively traditional mindset.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'antiquary' is more common in UK English, though still a low-frequency, formal word. In American English, 'antiquarian' is more frequently used as a noun, though 'antiquary' is understood.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests deep, sometimes obsessive, historical knowledge. In US usage, 'antiquarian' may sound slightly less archaic as a noun.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both varieties. Higher frequency in historical, museological, or literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “antiquary” in a Sentence
[be/become/meet] + an antiquaryantiquary + [specialising in/of] + [period/type of object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antiquary” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb in standard usage.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb in standard usage.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Use 'antiquarian'.
- The society published an antiquarian journal.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Use 'antiquarian'.
- He runs an antiquarian bookshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in the context of auction houses or high-end antique dealing.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and art historical texts to describe historical figures or a field of study.
Everyday
Very rare. Likely replaced by 'antique expert', 'collector', or 'history buff'.
Technical
Used in museology and heritage studies to specify a type of scholar or collector, often from a pre-professional archaeology era.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antiquary”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antiquary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antiquary”
- Misspelling as 'antiquery' (which is not a word).
- Confusing it with 'antiquarian' (they are largely synonymous as nouns, but usage differs).
- Using it to mean any old person, rather than a student of old things.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An antiquary is primarily a scholar or student of antiquities, while an antique dealer is primarily a merchant who buys and sells antiques. An antiquary may not sell items, and a dealer may not be a scholar.
No, it is a formal, somewhat old-fashioned word. In contemporary language, 'antiquarian', 'historian', or more specific terms like 'numismatist' are often preferred, though 'antiquary' is still used in certain academic and historical contexts.
No. The adjectival form is 'antiquarian' (e.g., antiquarian books, antiquarian interests).
The Society of Antiquaries of London, founded in 1707. Its members are called Fellows and are often referred to as 'antiquaries'.
A person who studies, collects, or deals in antiques and antiquities.
Antiquary is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Antiquary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæntɪkwəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæntəˌkweri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have the eye of an antiquary”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'An antique diary belongs to an ANTIQUARY.'
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A COLLECTION (The antiquary's mind is a museum).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary activity of an antiquary?