What is the Latin word for ancient?

The usual Latin words for “ancient” are vetus, vetustus, antīquus; also prīscus, prior, superior. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“ancient” in Latin

vetusold, aged, elderly, ancient; long-standing; former, previous vetustusthat which has existed a long time; old, ancient, aged; established, lasting; after or in the manner of the ancients, ol antīquusold, ancient; aged; time-honoured, bygone prīscusformer; ancient; old-fashioned priorformer, prior, previous, earlier (preceding in time); the first, the original; in front superiorhigher, upper; former, past, previous, preceding; older, elder, senior, more advanced, former perantīquusvery ancient prīstinusformer, old; early, original, primitive; pristine vetulusold; little old, poor old vēxillumflag, banner

The English word ancient itself goes back to Latin ante, through *anteānus.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

ancient

vetus (opposed to novus: what has existed for a long time, whether we are speaking in praise or blame): vetustus (old, as an epithet of praise. The comparative vetustior is also regularly used as comparative to vetus): antiquus; very ancient, perantiquus (existing in old times: παλαιός, opposed to recens). (The words are found in this connection and order), vetus et antiquus: priscus (old, primitive: as a solemn word conveying the accessory notion of the sacred respect due to antiquity: ἀπχαῖος. Cascus had the same meaning, but was obsolete in the time of the best prose writers). (The words are found in this connection and order), priscus et vetustus; vetus et priscus; priscus et antiquus: pristinus (existing at a former time: whereas antiquus, priscus denote a time long past): vetulus (of a person considerably advanced in years): veteratus, more commonly inveteratus (having obtained a firm hold by reason of its age; e.g., inveteratum ulcus; malum: amicitia): antiquo artificio factus, antiqui operis (made long ago: of works of art): obsoletus (gone by, out of fashion). (The words are found in this connection and order), antiquus et obsoletus.

The ancient writers, antiqui scriptores (inasmuch as they flourished at a distant age): veteres (inasmuch as they have influenced mankind for 2000 years). An ancient family, genus antiquum: ancient customs, pristini mores: ancient severity, prisca severitas: an ancient and hereditary custom, mos a patribus acceptus: ancient rites or nsetges, caerimoniae a vetustate acceptae: ancient institutions, vetera et prisca instituta: the ancient constitution, prisca reipublicae forma: a pattern of ancient integrity, priscae probitatis et fidei exemplar; homo antiqua virtute et fide: an ancient history, historia vetus et antiqua. Ancient days, i. e., the good old time, vetus or prior aetas. To put anything on its ancient footing, aliquid in pristinum restituere.

The ancients, veteres; antiqui; prisci: also priores, superiores: if = our forefathers, majores. Vid: OLD.

ancient s.

Flag of a ship, insigne navis (Vid: Caes., B.C., 2, 6): vexillum (as the sign for attacking). Vid: FLAG.

Flag-bearer, signifer: vexillarius (not vexillifer).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for ancient?: The usual Latin words for “ancient” are vetus, vetustus, antīquus; also prīscus, prior, superior. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.