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ancient
/ˈeɪnʃənt/
very old
The ancient ruins of Rome attract millions of tourists every year.
The very old remains of Rome attract many visitors annually.
formal
Belonging to a distant past, especially before the fall of the Roman Empire.
The ancient civilization of Egypt left behind impressive monuments.
The very old civilization of Egypt created impressive structures.
Often used to describe civilizations, cultures, or objects from thousands of years ago.
general
Very old; aged.
This tree is ancient—it has been standing for over 500 years.
This tree is very old; it has existed for more than 500 years.
Can describe objects, buildings, or even people (e.g., 'an ancient mariner').
historical
Relating to the historical period before the Middle Ages.
Ancient Greek philosophy laid the foundation for Western thought.
Philosophy from the historical period before the Middle Ages influenced Western thought.
Commonly used in academic or historical contexts.
Collocations
ancient historyhistory from a very long time agoancient civilizationa very old human societyancient ruinsold remains of buildings or structures
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overuse
While 'ancient' is useful for historical contexts, avoid using it for modern objects unless you're being humorous or hyperbolic (e.g., 'This ancient phone still works!').
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'ancient' for things that are not only old but also historically significant or from a distant past. For example, 'ancient Greece' is correct, but 'ancient shoes' sounds odd unless referring to archaeological finds.
Word Origin
From Latin *antiquus* (old, ancient), derived from *ante* (before). Entered English via Old French *ancien* in the 14th century.
Usage Notes
Avoid using 'ancient' for things less than a few hundred years old unless emphasizing historical significance. In informal contexts, it can sometimes imply 'very old-fashioned' in a humorous or exaggerated way (e.g., 'an ancient computer').
Word Breakdown
anti-
before
prefix-quus
old
rootEnglish Dictionary