What does antics mean?
Antics refers to foolish, exaggerated, or amusing behaviour — the kind of wild gestures, pranks, and clowning that people perform to entertain others or simply to be silly. The word is almost always used in its plural form: we speak of a child's antics, a drunk's antics, or a comedian's antics, rather than a single 'antic'. Its connotations are generally affectionate or indulgent, though the term can carry a hint of exasperation when the behaviour has gone too far, as in 'I've had enough of his antics.' Interestingly, the word traces back to the Italian 'antico', meaning 'ancient', because Renaissance artists described the bizarre half-human figures of classical art as 'antic' work; over time the sense shifted from grotesque imagery to grotesque conduct. Today it is a lively, informal word found everywhere from sports commentary to gossip columns.
nounFoolish, outrageous, or amusing behaviour; playful or absurd actions intended to entertain or attract attention.
- Foolish, outrageous, or amusing behaviour, especially when performed to entertain or draw attention.
"The children's antics kept the whole party entertained for hours."
"The comedian's antics on stage had the audience in stitches."
"We were exhausted by the puppy's antics all morning."
'Antics' is itself the standard plural form (of the rare singular 'antic') and is by far the most common form in modern usage.
"Her antics at the office party became legendary."
The word 'antics' comes from 'antico' — Italian for 'ancient' — because Renaissance artists mocked bizarre classical statues as 'antic works', and the strange figures themselves gave us the word for strange behaviour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antics
Antics derives from the Italian 'antico', meaning 'ancient', which entered English in the sixteenth century as 'antic', first describing the grotesque human-and-animal figures found in classical Roman art and later any absurd or fantastic thing. By the early seventeenth century the noun had come to denote a ludicrous performer or buffoon, and the plural 'antics' settled into its modern meaning of ridiculous or playful behaviour. It shares a root with 'antique', 'antiquity', and 'antiquated', all ultimately from Latin 'antiquus', meaning 'old' or 'former'.
Related word forms
How antics is actually used
Almost always used as a plural noun ('antics'), rarely in the singular. The tone is usually light-hearted and mildly disapproving at most; it suits informal to neutral registers.
Easily confused with antics
Antics are foolish or playful behaviours, while antiques are old and valuable objects.