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

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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

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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

They leave behind happy memories for visitors — and scores of antler sheds.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 30, 2024

Some tribes scratch the days of the Moon or the days that the women bleed on antler bones.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

"So I'm excited to see Halloween and all the antlers come out and take over the world," she joked to reporters backstage.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Brent Poer and Beau Quillian’s historic home is an exuberant collage of Hermès plates, Black Forest antlers, Staffordshire porcelain figurines, majolica plates and art that has been lovingly curated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 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

In the middle of one of the dark-paneled walls hung a stuffed moose head with long antlers.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

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