French Conversation · Level 104
60 words
French word
archaïque
Pronunciation
IPA/aʁkaik/
Meaning
- adjectiveold-fashioned
Example
Ce mot est archaïque.
This word is old-fashioned.
More examples
Il a utilisé un mot archaïque.
He used an archaic word.
Core concept
A word, style, or feature bearing the marks of an earlier age rather than modern everyday use.
Common phrases
mot archaïque
archaic word
terme archaïque
archaic term
Similar words
vieux: Seeming old because of its appearance or condition.
démodé: Failing to match modern tastes or current fashions.
vieillot: Gently old-fashioned, with a quaint and familiar charm.
Definition in French
Qui appartient à une époque passée ou conserve des traits linguistiques ou stylistiques du passé et qui n'est plus employé dans l'usage courant.
Word origin
French archaïque is a learned borrowing from Latin archaicus, from Greek archaïkos, derived from archaios, meaning ancient.
Usage tips
- Archaïque often describes words, expressions, styles, or institutions, while vieux usually refers more generally to age and démodé to loss of fashion.