Words / C1

ah-KAY-ik/ɑːˈkeɪɪk/

Archaic means very old-fashioned and no longer in ordinary use: an archaic pronoun, archaic laws. Old-fashioned is everyday and milder; obsolete means no longer used because something replaced it; ancient is simply very old. In speech, outdated or old-fashioned is enough. Use archaic for language, dress, or rules that feel stranded in an earlier age — not for last year’s phone.

Meaning

Very old-fashioned; no longer in ordinary use.

Examples

• ““Thou” is an archaic pronoun.”
• ““Thou” is archaic in modern prose; keep it for quotation.”
• “The dress code felt archaic, as if nobody had left 1952.”

Good to know

Out of ordinary use; old language or customs. Everyday: old-fashioned / outdated. Close: obsolete (replaced). Not merely old.

Near in meaning

outdated

New