antiquato

Antiquato is an Italian adjective meaning outdated or old-fashioned. It describes objects, methods, or ideas that no longer meet current standards due to age, wear, or technological progress. The term derives from Latin antiquatus, from antiquus (ancient).

In Italian, antiquato agrees with the noun in gender and number: un sistema antiquato, una pratica antiquata, i sistemi antiquati, le pratiche antiquate. The tone is typically neutral to mildly critical, signaling that something should be modernized or replaced. It is related to, but distinct from, desueto (not in use) and obsoleto (no longer usable or commercially unsupported); superato emphasizes that something has been surpassed by newer alternatives.

Common contexts for the word include technology, infrastructure, legislation, and fashion. For example, si considera antiquato un software che non supporta le nuove applicazioni, oppure una legge antiquata che non riflette le realtà odierne. In nuance, antiquato often implies age and outdatedness as a reason for change, rather than a sudden failure.

Antiquato contrasts with terms such as desueto and obsoleto, which convey broader or stronger senses of disuse or irrelevance. It remains a practical and frequently used descriptor in discussions about modernization, reform, and efficiency in various sectors.