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archaic

ar-KAY-ik /ɑːrˈkeɪɪk/

adjectiveC1GRETOEFLIELTSSAT

Formal

Very old or old-fashioned; (of a word or a style of language) no longer in everyday use but sometimes used to impart an old-fashioned flavor.

Implies something is extremely old, often from a much earlier period, and is typically no longer practical or relevant, except perhaps for historical or stylistic effect. Stronger than "outdated."

The story behind the word. "Archaic" comes from the Greek word arkhaios, meaning "ancient" or "primitive," which itself is derived from arkhe, meaning "beginning" or "origin." So, when we call something "archaic," we're essentially saying it belongs to the very beginning or a very early, distant past. It's a word that evokes a sense of deep history and fundamental change.

Word relationships

ancient: Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence.
antiquated: Old-fashioned or outdated.
primitive: Relating to or denoting the earliest age or stage of the world or of human existence.

modern: Relating to the present or recent times.
contemporary: Belonging to or occurring in the present.
current: Belonging to the present time.

Commonly confused with

outdated: "Archaic" suggests something is very old, often from a different historical era, and usually no longer practical. "Outdated" is simply not current or fashionable, but might still be somewhat usable.

Word family

archaism (noun): a word or phrase that is archaic.
archaeology (noun): the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.

Collocations

archaic language
archaic laws
archaic customs
archaic technology
archaic methods

Example sentences

"The company's accounting practices were so archaic they still used ledgers and quill pens." Describing inefficient business practices.
"Many words found in Shakespeare's plays are now considered archaic." Referring to language in classic literature.
"The museum displayed archaic tools from the early Bronze Age." Describing museum exhibits.

Memory hook

"AR-KAY-ik" sounds like "ARK-age" – like Noah's Ark, from a very ancient age. ARK-age

When not to use

Don't use "archaic" for something that is merely a few years old or slightly out of fashion; it implies a much greater age and distance from current practice.

Fun facts

The term "Archaic period" is used in archaeology and history to denote early periods, such as the Archaic period in ancient Greece (c. 800-500 BC) or the Archaic period in North American prehistory.

Related words

antiquated, anachronism

Explore more words

prehistoric, antiquity, quaint, anachronism, relic, behind the times