antiquing

American  

[an-tee-king] / ænˈti kɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of shopping for or collecting antiques.

   This weekend’s antiquing yielded a farmhouse dining table perfect for the community center.

2. the use of painting and distressing techniques to give furniture, home decor, etc., the appearance and aesthetic of a much older object.

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Etymology

Origin of antiquing

First recorded in 1720–30 antiquing for def. 1, 1780–90 antiquing for def. 2; antique ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

For the “Yellowjackets” star, an ideal Sunday includes antiquing in Sherman Oaks, tea at the Museum of Jurassic Technology, record shopping at Mount Analog and lots of scrolling.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2025

Two lamps weren’t just two lamps, but the best outing she spent antiquing with my grandmother before she passed away from Alzheimer’s disease.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2024

“We love to go to estate sales and antiquing together — it’s hard sometimes because we all like the same things!”

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2023

“My houses have always been my creative, shopping and antiquing outlets — they just combine everything I like to do,” she explains.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2021

Occasionally she disappears for the day, to go antiquing in the surrounding towns.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri