What does antiquate mean?
"Antiquate" is a formal English verb meaning to make something old-fashioned or obsolete, usually by introducing something newer that renders it no longer useful or current. When a technology, law, custom, or idea is antiquated, it has been left behind by progress — as when digital cameras antiquated film photography, or when new legislation antiquates older statutes. The word derives from the Latin "antiquus," meaning "old" or "ancient," the same root that gives us "antique" and "antiquity." In modern usage, "antiquate" appears most often in its passive or adjectival form, "antiquated," which describes things that have already been made to seem dated: antiquated equipment, antiquated rules, antiquated attitudes. Because the active verb is relatively rare and literary, writers tend to reach for alternatives such as "outdate," "supersede," or simply "make obsolete." Still, "antiquate" precisely captures a dynamic process — not merely being old, but being made to feel old by the arrival of the new.
verbTo make something old-fashioned or obsolete, especially by replacing it with something newer; to cause to appear outdated.
- To make something old-fashioned, obsolete, or out of date, typically by the introduction of something newer.
- (Less commonly) To give an appearance of age or antiquity to something.
"The advent of streaming services gradually antiquated the family's DVD collection."
"Digital photography all but antiquated the roll of film within a decade."
"The reformers sought to antiquate centuries-old customs that no longer served the community."
Every time technology moves on, something gets antiquated — and "antiquate" is the rare verb that names that exact moment when the new makes the old look ancient.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antiquate
"Antiquate" comes from the Latin "antiquatus," the past participle of "antiquare," meaning "to make old," itself formed from "antiquus," meaning "old" or "ancient." English borrowed the word in the early 17th century, during a period when many Latinate learned terms entered the language. It shares its root with "antique," "antiquity," and "antiquarian," all of which preserve the sense of age and oldness inherent in the original Latin.
Related word forms
How antiquate is actually used
"Antiquate" is a formal, somewhat literary word; in everyday speech people more often say something has become "obsolete" or "dated," or use the derived adjective "antiquated." The passive form is far more common than the active.
Easily confused with antiquate
"Antique" is an adjective or noun describing something old and often valuable, while "antiquate" is a verb meaning to make something old-fashioned.
"Antedate" means to precede in time or assign an earlier date, whereas "antiquate" means to render something obsolete.