anachronistic
anachronistic — adjective
- anachronisticpositive
- more anachronisticcomparative
- most anachronisticsuperlative
1. describing someone or something that seems to come from an earlier time and feel
describing someone or something that seems to come from an earlier time and feels unsuitable for the modern world, often because the thing is old-fashioned or no longer serves a useful purpose.
Nikos thinks the school's strict dress code is anachronistic and should be changed.
linking verb + anachronistic: 'is anachronistic'
Sumin's grandfather finds the handwritten letter anachronistic now that everyone uses email.
find + [something] + anachronistic
The coal-powered machines in the old factory look anachronistic beside the new solar panels.
Many young voters see the traditional ceremony as an anachronistic ritual with no real meaning.
- outdated
more common in everyday speech; focuses on information or design being old
- antiquated
stronger tone; suggests something is very old and no longer works well
- obsolete
implies the thing is no longer made or used at all, not just out of fashion
- modern
belonging to the present time
- contemporary
existing or happening now; up-to-date
文法句型
seem/look/feel/appear + anachronistic
anachronistic + noun (institution, custom, practice, view)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a custom, institution, practice, technology, or belief — rarely a person directly. When applied to a person, it describes their views or habits, not their age.
常見錯誤
2. placed or appearing in a historical period where it does not correctly belong, f
placed or appearing in a historical period where it does not correctly belong, for example when a modern object appears in a film set in the distant past.
The film critic noticed an anachronistic wristwatch on a Roman soldier in the battle scene.
anachronistic + noun (object from a different time period)
Aisha laughed when her brother drew an anachronistic phone into a picture of ancient Egypt.
The museum display had an anachronistic plastic bottle mixed in with the 18th-century kitchen tools.
Kian's history teacher said the horned Viking helmet is an anachronistic invention from the 1800s.
- misplaced
broader term; can refer to any kind of wrong location, not just time periods
- incongruous
formal; suggests the thing clashes with its surroundings in a striking way
- period-appropriate
correctly belonging to the historical period shown
- authentic
genuinely belonging to the time depicted
文法句型
historically/anachronistically + anachronistic
anachronistic + noun (detail, element, object)
用法筆記
Common in discussions of historical accuracy in films, plays, TV shows, museum exhibits, and period fiction. Frequently modified by the adverb 'historically'.
3. describing something whose style, design, or behaviour clashes with the characte
describing something whose style, design, or behaviour clashes with the character of its time or surroundings, whether the thing itself is old, new, or timeless.
The minimalist glass building looked anachronistic among the Victorian townhouses on King Street.
anachronistic among + [surroundings] for stylistic clash
Roya said the politician's internet privacy views felt anachronistic in a city full of startups.
Writing 'Dear Sir' in a text message felt anachronistic to the teenagers in Mei-Lin's class.
The startup's new employees found the old landline phone an anachronistic sight on their sleek desks.
- incongruous
more general; describes anything that clashes with its surroundings
- out of step
more informal; suggests failing to keep up with the current trend or mindset
文法句型
feel + anachronistic
seem + anachronistic
anachronistic in + [context]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which singles out old-fashioned things that no longer suit the present) and sense 2 (which flags objects placed in the wrong historical period in films or exhibits), this sense applies when something does not match the expected character of its surroundings regardless of its age — a modern sofa in a period home, or a very formal greeting at a casual party.