ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ANCIENT meaning: 1. of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time: 2. very old: 3. used to refer…. Learn more.

Ancient, antiquated, antique, old-fashioned refer to something dating from the past. Ancient implies existence or first occurrence in a distant past: an ancient custom.

Define ancient. ancient synonyms, ancient pronunciation, ancient translation, English dictionary definition of ancient. adj. 1. Of, relating to, or belonging to times long past, especially before the fall …

Ancient means belonging to the distant past, especially to the period in history before the end of the Roman Empire. They believed ancient Greece and Rome were vital sources of learning.

Dec 14, 2025 · ancient (comparative ancienter or more ancient, superlative ancientest or most ancient) Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old. quotations

There are 21 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word ancient, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Ancient definition: Of, relating to, or belonging to times long past, especially before the fall of the Western Roman Empire ( ad 476).

ANCIENT meaning: 1 : very old having lived or existed for a very long time often used in an exaggerated way to describe an old machine, person, etc.; 2 : of, coming from, or belonging to a time that was …

Definition of ancient adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.