adj

ancient

AYN-shuhnt

adj

Belonging to a very distant, long-past time, especially before the Middle Ages.

"The museum houses artifacts from ancient Egypt."

"They studied ancient Greek philosophy at university."

Very old.

"Grandpa still drives that ancient old truck."

noun

A person who lived in the distant past, especially in classical Greece or Rome.

"The ancients believed the earth was at the center of the universe."

How to Use Ancient

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishVery old, from a long time ago — often used for civilizations, ruins, or traditions from thousands of years back.

Common mistake

"Ancient" suggests genuine antiquity (centuries or more); for something merely old or outdated, use "old" or "old-fashioned" instead.

Common pairings

ancient history ancient civilization ancient ruins ancient times

ancienter comparative, more ancient comparative, ancients plural, ancients plural, ancientest superlative, most ancient superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The museum houses artifacts from _____ Egypt.

From Old French ancien, from Vulgar Latin anteanus, built from ante ("before").

eldern hoary oldster senior citizen forerunner

modern

old obsolete historical aged ancestor antique past present

orient patient salient ambient lenient obedient nutrient gradient sentient impatient transient recipient

eldern hoary oldster senior citizen forerunner modern old obsolete historical aged ancestor antique