# antiquity

/ænˈtɪkwəti/ (US) · /æntˈɪkwɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/antiquity
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. ancient times

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the distant past, especially the period of history before the Middle Ages.

For teachers: the period of history belonging to the distant past, specifically the era preceding the Middle Ages.

- Many laws in this country have their roots in classical antiquity.
- The philosopher sought to reconcile the values of classical antiquity with the emerging social structures of the Renaissance.

### 2. an ancient object

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an object, such as a statue or coin, that was made a very long time ago.

For teachers: a relic, monument, or artefact remaining from ancient times. Often used in the plural.

- The museum has a famous collection of Egyptian antiquities.
- The illicit trade in stolen antiquities remains a significant challenge for archaeologists working in conflict zones.

### 3. great age

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

the quality of being very old or having a long history.

For teachers: the state or quality of being ancient or of great age.

- The manuscript was valuable because of its great antiquity.
- The city's antiquity is evident in the layered ruins that sit beneath the modern shopping district.

## Examples

- The ruins show signs of great antiquity.
- Scholars study pottery shards to understand daily life in antiquity.
- The library preserves manuscripts that bridge the gap between classical antiquity and the medieval period.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.