antler

American  

[ant-ler] / ˈænt lər /

noun

• antlers
  plural

1. one of the solid deciduous horns, usually branched, of an animal of the deer family.

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antler British  

/ ˈæntlə /

noun

1. one of a pair of bony outgrowths on the heads of male deer and some related species of either sex. The antlers are shed each year and those of some species grow more branches as the animal ages

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antlerless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• antlers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of antler

1350–1400; Middle English aunteler < Middle French antoillier < Vulgar Latin *anteoculārem ( rāmum ), accusative singular of *anteoculāris ( rāmus ) anteocular (branch of a stag's horn). See ante-, ocular

Explanation

An antler is one of a pair of horns that belong to most members of the deer family. An antler is usually curved and has branches. Antlers come in pairs: there are two antlers coming out of a deer’s head. Antlers are branched like a tree limb, and some are very long and large. The elk is an animal with impressive antlers. Antlers look intimidating and can be used as a weapon by the deer when head-butting. Only the males have antlers in most species.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antler antlers

Now Patricia’s red dress and antler headpiece ensemble will be this year’s go-to Halloween costume.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

A group of people were gathered around a large dining table beneath a massive chandelier of antler, a tableau that evoked some kind of Viking summit.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026

Boxgrove has been extensively excavated, and researchers have uncovered many tools made from flint, bone and antler there.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

Alongside this piece of medieval bling, the team have also unearthed a pin made from bone with a detailed pattern and a comb intricately carved from antler.

From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2025

Perhaps because they had fallen into that angry silence, they walked quietly enough to come upon One Horn, the magnificent buck deer who had lost half of his antler rack defending his island territory.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

Rising at 15:36 BST on 29 July, it is named after the time of year when male deer begin to grow their new antlers.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

The space is dimly lit and always packed, with wood-paneled walls, mounted antlers, and crisp white tablecloths setting the tone.

From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2026

It’s a playful take on British decor with Victorian-era Tartanware boxes and pre-World War I Black Forest antlers on carved wood plaques that were once used as hunting trophies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

Hazen, the impulsive younger brother, knows the location of an enormous stash of antlers deep in Yellowstone and is eager to plunder it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025

Llewelyn’s head snapped up, and they all took a step back to avoid the antlers.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova