Vintage
adjective /ˈvɪntɪdʒ/ — Of high quality from an earlier era — bearing the best of what that time produced.
Definition
Denoting something of high quality from a past era, characterized by the enduring excellence of its period; the word carries both age and quality.
Beyond the definition
Vintage is a word of appreciation — it acknowledges that something old has not just survived but improved in the telling. A vintage year, a vintage performance, a vintage self: all imply peak quality.
Origin & history
From Old French vendage — grape harvest, from Latin vinum (wine) + demere (to remove). Originally the year's wine harvest; then the quality of that year's wine; then any peak-quality thing from a particular period.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
A vintage performance — not just nostalgic, but genuinely the best version of what that artist could do.
She dressed in vintage pieces that fit as if they were always meant for her.
There's a vintage energy in old cities — not dusty but distilled, the best things still standing.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Vintage” when the meaning fits your context: Denoting something of high quality from a past era, characterized by the enduring excellence of its period; the word carries both age and quality.
Synonyms
classic, period, retro, timeless, old-world, period
Antonyms
modern, current, new
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Bread Dipped in Sauce
An adult in a kitchen holds a piece of crusty bread dipped into a dark, rich, simmering sauce, steam rising, their expression satisfied.
Vintage often denotes high quality from a past era, characterized by enduring excellence. The art of creating the rich, deep sauce, reminiscent of traditional culinary methods, reflects this vintage quality, where the care and time taken in the preparation result in a superior, enduring experience of simple, high-quality pleasure.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Vintage" mean?
Vintage is adjective meaning: Of high quality from an earlier era — bearing the best of what that time produced.. Denoting something of high quality from a past era, characterized by the enduring excellence of its period; the word carries both age and quality.
Where does the word "Vintage" come from?
From Old French vendage — grape harvest, from Latin vinum (wine) + demere (to remove). Originally the year's wine harvest; then the quality of that year's wine; then any peak-quality thing from a particular period.