vintage
Denoting something of high quality from the past, typically at least twenty years old, that represents the best or most characteristic features of its era.
Vintage implies a level of quality, collectibility, and historical charm, rather than just being old or used.
Word relationships
- classic: Classic refers to something of recognized and enduring value, whereas vintage specifically ties the item to a particular historical era.
- contemporary: Contemporary refers to things existing or occurring in the present time.
Commonly confused with
- antique: An antique is technically an item that is at least 100 years old, whereas vintage items are typically between 20 and 99 years old.
Word family
- vintner (noun): A wine merchant or producer.
Collocations
- vintage clothing
- vintage wine
- vintage car
- vintage aesthetic
Example sentences
- "She wore a stunning vintage dress from the 1950s to the gala, turning heads with its classic silhouette." A description of a fashion choice.
- "He spent his weekends restoring a vintage sports car, searching for authentic parts across the country." A discussion about classic automobiles.
Memory hook
Think of 'vintage' as 'wine-age'—just like a fine wine, vintage clothes and cars get better and more valuable with age. Aged to perfection.
When not to use
Do not use for items that are simply old, broken, or of poor quality; use 'antique' for items over 100 years old, and 'second-hand' for ordinary used goods.
Fun facts
- In the fashion industry, an item must typically be at least 20 years old to be officially labeled 'vintage.' Anything newer but styled to look old is merely 'retro.'
Explore more words
vineyard, bouquet, viticulture, aftertaste, seasonal, antiquity
Also appears in
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.