Definition and meaning of English word "ancient"
ancient
/ˈeɪnʃənt/
Meaning
NounA person who lived in ancient or classical times; one of the ancients.
How to use
As a noun, 'the ancients' refers to people who lived in ancient or classical times (e.g. classical Greek and Roman writers and thinkers), not simply someone who is currently very old. A common mistake is to confuse this noun sense with the far more common adjective 'ancient' (e.g. 'ancient civilizations'), or with 'elderly', which describes a living person's advanced age rather than a historical period.
🇬🇧 English
ancient
Example
Scholars still study the wisdom of the ancients to understand fundamental human questions.
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Common phrases
- ancient civilizations— complex human societies that existed in the distant past
- ancient history— the study of past events
- ancient wisdom— wise sayings or ideas from the past
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This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #1169 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "ancient" mean?▼
The English word "ancient" means "ancient" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "ancient"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "ancient" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "ancient"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Scholars still study the wisdom of the ancients to understand fundamental human questions." (which translates as "ancient").
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