antler
Americannoun
-
antlers
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing antler
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: ante, anti
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Animals (Zoology) - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
They leave behind happy memories for visitors — and scores of antler sheds.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 30, 2024
Dru Marshall, 26, of Romsey, Hampshire, claimed to be a senior footman at Windsor Castle when he listed an "antler walking stick" for auction.
From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2024
Some tribes scratch the days of the Moon or the days that the women bleed on antler bones.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
“Science class starts… NOW!” the company posted on Facebook, noting that a moose has 6-foot antlers “for defending territory,” while a beaver has a flat tail “for slapping water.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
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
According to reports, the mother and son were in the woods collecting antlers during the stag shedding season.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 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
He’s quite small and wiry, with straggly ginger hair and a moustache that curls out from both sides – like antlers!
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
