antic

UK: /ˈæntɪk/ US: /ˈæntɪk/ ,(an′tik)

Inflections of 'antic' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

antics

v 3rd person singular

anticking

v pres p

anticked

v past

anticked

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•tic /ˈæntɪk/   n. [countable]

1. Usually, antics. [plural] a playful or silly trick:
   Her antics in class got her into trouble.

adj. 

2. foolishly playful;
   funny;
   amusing:
   antic behavior.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•tic  (an′tik), n., adj., v., -ticked, -tick•ing. 
n. 

1. Usually, antics. 
   • a playful trick or prank;
     caper.
   • a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture.
2. [Archaic.]
   • an actor in a grotesque or ridiculous presentation.
   • a buffoon;
     clown.
3. [Obs.]
   • a grotesque theatrical presentation;
     ridiculous interlude.
   • Architecture a grotesque or fantastic sculptured figure, as a gargoyle.

adj. 

4. ludicrous;
   funny.
5. fantastic;
   odd;
   grotesque:
   an antic disposition.

v.i. 

6. [Obs.] to perform antics;
   caper.

• Latin antīcus, antīquus; see antique), apparently taken to mean "grotesque,'' as used in descriptions of fantastic figures found in Roman ruins
• Italian antico ancient (
• earlier antike, antique 1520–30

an′ti•cal•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

antic / ˈæntɪk/ noun

1. an actor in a ludicrous or grotesque part; clown; buffoon

adjective

1. fantastic; grotesque

Etymology: 16th Century: from Italian antico something ancient, or grotesque (from its application to fantastic carvings found in ruins of ancient Rome); see antique