antique
B2Formal to neutral. Common in commerce (antiques trade), collecting, and descriptive contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A collectible item, especially a piece of furniture or a work of art, that is old and valuable because of its age and quality.
Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period; also, to shop for or trade in old and valuable objects.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core concept is age + value/desirability. 'Antique' as a noun implies an object of interest to collectors. As an adjective, it can mean simply 'old-fashioned' or specifically 'from a past era' (e.g., antique car). The verb is less common and more specialized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. The verb 'to antique' (to give an object an antique appearance) is slightly more common in AmE. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Similar positive connotations of quality, craftsmanship, and history in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The associated trade and collecting culture is prominent in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adj] antique + noun (antique vase)[noun] verb + antique (collect/buy/sell an antique)[verb] antique + object (to antique a piece of furniture)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the antiques trade, valuation, auctioning, and retail.
Academic
Used in history, art history, and archaeology to describe objects from a specific past period.
Everyday
Describing old furniture, jewellery, or cars; visiting antique shops or fairs.
Technical
In restoration, refers to specific techniques for aging or preserving old objects.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to antique the new bookcase to match the older pieces in the study.
- This technique is used to antique metal, giving it a weathered patina.
American English
- We're going to antique this dresser with a special stain and some light sanding.
- He antiqued the picture frame to make it look like it was from the 19th century.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is an old chair.
- My grandmother has an antique table.
- We bought a small antique clock from the market.
- There are many antique shops in this town.
- The value of an antique depends on its condition, rarity, and provenance.
- She has a keen eye for identifying genuine antique furniture.
- The auction house will authenticate and appraise the suspected antique before placing it in the sale.
- Critics argue that the museum's acquisition policy favours showy antiques over historically significant artifacts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Aunt Tique' – your aunt who loves collecting very old and interesting things from 'antique' shops.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGE IS VALUE (The older it is, the more valuable/desirable it becomes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'антиквариат' (which is the collective concept). 'Antique' is a countable noun (an antique, some antiques).
- The adjective 'antique' is not a direct equivalent of 'античный' (which specifically refers to ancient Greece/Rome). 'Antique' is broader.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'antique' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'I like antique' instead of 'I like antiques').
- Confusing 'antique' (old and valuable) with just 'old' or 'used'.
- Incorrect stress: /ˈæn.tɪk/ instead of /ænˈtiːk/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'antique' used as a VERB?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While definitions vary, a common rule in the trade is that an item should be at least 100 years old to be considered a true antique.
'Antique' typically implies age (often 100+ years). 'Vintage' usually refers to items from a specific past era (e.g., 1920s, 1950s) but not necessarily as old as antiques. 'Retro' describes new items made in the style of a past era.
Yes, when used figuratively about ideas or technology, it can mean hopelessly old-fashioned or obsolete (e.g., 'His views on management are positively antique.').
It is a specialist term, most common in crafts, restoration, and furniture-making contexts. It is not a high-frequency verb in everyday language.