Antique vs. Obsolete — What's the Difference?

A true antique (Latin: antiquus; 'old', 'ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely to describe any object that is old. An antique is usually an item that is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features.

No longer in use

A collectable object such as a piece of furniture or work of art that has a high value because of its age and quality

Outmoded in design, style, or construction

Having a high value because of age and quality

(Biology) Vestigial or rudimentary, especially in comparison with related or ancestral species, as the tailbone of an ape. Used of an organ or other part of an organism.

Belonging to ancient times

To cause to become obsolete

Make (something) resemble an antique by artificial means

(of words, equipment, etc.) No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused or neglected (often in favour of something newer).

Search or shop for antiques

(biology) Imperfectly developed; not very distinct.

Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period

To cause to become obsolete.

Of or belonging to ancient times, especially of, from, or characteristic of ancient Greece or Rome.

No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; - applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.

Relating to or dealing in antiques.

Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.

Having the appearance of an antique.

To become obsolete; to go out of use.

Old-fashioned; outdated

Old; no longer in use or valid or fashionable;

An object having special value because of its age, especially a domestic item or piece of furniture or handicraft esteemed for its artistry, beauty, or period of origin.

No longer in use;

The style or manner of ancient times, especially that of ancient Greek or Roman art

To give the appearance of an antique to

To hunt or shop for antiques.

Having existed in ancient times, descended from antiquity; used especially in reference to Greece and Rome.

Belonging to former times, not modern, out of date, old-fashioned.

(typography) Designating a style of type.

(bookbinding) Embossed without gilt.

(obsolete) antic, specifically:

Fantastic, odd, wild, antic.

In general, anything very old; specifically:

An old object perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance.

An object of ancient times.

(in the singular) The style or manner of ancient times, used especially of Greek and Roman art.

An old person.

(obsolete) A man of ancient times.

(typography) A style of type of thick and bold face in which all lines are of equal or nearly equal thickness.

(obsolete) antic, specifically:

Grotesque entertainment; an antic.

A performer in an antic; or in general, a burlesque performer, a buffoon.

(intransitive) To search or shop for antiques.

(transitive) To make (an object) appear to be an antique in some way.

To emboss without gilding.

Old; ancient; of genuine antiquity; as, an antique statue. In this sense it usually refers to the flourishing ages of Greece and Rome.

Old, as respects the present age, or a modern period of time; of old fashion; antiquated; as, an antique robe.

Made in imitation of antiquity; as, the antique style of Thomson's "Castle of Indolence."

Odd; fantastic.

In general, anything very old; but in a more limited sense, a relic or object of ancient art; collectively, the antique, the remains of ancient art, as busts, statues, paintings, and vases.

An elderly man

Any piece of furniture or decorative object or the like produced in a former period and valuable because of its beauty or rarity

Shop for antiques;

Give an antique appearance to;

Made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age;

Out of fashion;

Belonging to or lasting from times long ago;