What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
antiquated
Example
The company still uses antiquated machinery that should be replaced. [antiquated: adjective]
Example
His fashion sense is quite antiquated, always wearing clothes from a bygone era. [antiquated: adjective]
archaic
Example
The archaeologists discovered an archaic artifact dating back thousands of years. [archaic: adjective]
Example
Shakespearean English contains many archaic words and expressions. [archaic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Antiquated is more commonly used than archaic in everyday language. Antiquated can be applied to a wider range of contexts, making it more versatile and frequently used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between antiquated and archaic?
Both antiquated and archaic are relatively formal words. They are often used in academic or literary contexts to describe historical or outdated concepts.
