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

The artefacts included an antler that would have been used for digging, and other carved animal bones, as well as finely decorated fragments of pottery.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

With his right hand he reached for the notch above his head, and dug deep with the jagged edge of the antler.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

The Buck Moon, which was named after the time male deer sprout new antlers, will rise on 29 July.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 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 an avid hunter and also enjoys collecting “sheds,” antlers dropped annually by deer and elk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025

One day the Scot suggests a way the brothers might supplement their income: “I could sell as many elk antlers as I could possibly get my hands on. At a good price too.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025

She could tell by the massiveness of their antlers that they were males, for those of the females are more slender and shorter.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

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