Ancient
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Ancient is an adjective meaning Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old.
Meaning
Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old.
More Meanings
- Existent or occurring in time long past, usually in remote ages; belonging to or associated with antiquity; old, as opposed to modern.
- (history) Relating to antiquity as a primarily European historical period; the time before the Middle Ages.
- A person who is very old.
- A person who lived in ancient times.
- (UK, law) One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
- (obsolete) Experienced; versed.
- (obsolete) Former; sometime.
Example Sentences
an ancient city
an ancient forest
an ancient author
an ancient empire
Word Forms
- ancienter
- ancientest
- anchient
- ancyent
- ancients
Synonyms for ancient
Depending on context, synonyms include aged, eldern, hoary, geriatric, oldster, antique.
Antonyms for ancient
Common opposites include modern.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include age-old, antique, old, past, antiquity, time-honored.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.