relic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "relic" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning an object that has survived from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest. For example, "The church was full of ancient relics, far older than the building itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"To rebuild historic monuments is against the principle of conservation," he says, calling the city wall "a fake relic".

The Guardian

Section 377 of the Malaysian penal code, which criminalises "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" is a relic of the country's days as a British colony.

The Guardian

I'm sure Michael Gove would agree, given that he is desperate to reform the shape of the school year, considering it an outdated relic of the Victorian age.

The Guardian - Opinion

So of the moment that it felt dated a month after release, its fickle intended audience failed to hURL themselves out of bed to bother watching it and it became a fascinating 90s relic, complete with three unwanted soundtracks.

The Guardian - Film

We should be saying: it is time for parliament to move out of the relic that is the Palace of Westminster and into a new, modern, accessible site fit for purpose, for a serious debate about the electoral system, for an elected Senate in place of the outdated House of Lords.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lara Croft: Relic Run (Free + IAP) Mobile hit Temple Run was arguably influenced – at least a bit – by Tomb Raider.

The Guardian - Tech

Level crossings may be a relic of Victorian infrastructure – none will exist along the route of HS2, where about 200 bridges will be incorporated into the route from London to Birmingham, and none exist along the current high-speed route, HS1, which has an impeccable safety record.

The Guardian

In this MP's view, the pledge to oppose higher fees was a last relic of the sort of populism that used to infest Lib Dem manifestos back when the party ran no risk of tasting power.

The Economist

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has filed lawsuits against banks for allegedly selling risky home loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac without proper disclosure.In this section Law and disorder Precious relic Don't call me junk Time for a rethink Monte to climb The lore of ore Concrete gains ReprintsOther departments with nominally different patches participate in prosecutions, too.

The Economist

Since his days as a gadfly member of the House of Commons in the 1980s, Mr Salmond has portrayed the British state as a relic, calling it "fundamentally unattractive" and sunk in xenophobic decline.

The Economist

As that country's economy shows no signs of faltering after seven years of growth, ever more investors are beginning to wonder whether recessions are a relic of the past.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relic", consider the connotations of age and historical significance. Ensure the context aligns with the object or concept being described as a remnant of the past.

Common error

Avoid using "relic" to describe something merely old or outdated without an association with historical or cultural significance. Otherwise, use terms like "obsolete" or "outdated".

Linguistic Context

The word "relic" primarily functions as a noun, denoting an object, custom, or system that has survived from an earlier time or period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples range from describing historical monuments to outdated laws.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relic" functions as a noun, commonly used to describe something that has survived from an earlier time and carries historical or sentimental value. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency is very common, predominantly appearing in news, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. When using "relic", be mindful of its connotations of age and historical significance. While there are many semantically related alternatives, such as "artifact" and "remnant", each carries subtly different nuances that should be considered in the context of your writing. Avoid using "relic" to describe something new or modern and consider to use terms like obsolete or outdated instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ancient artifact

Highlights the age and object-like nature.

historical artifact

Emphasizes the historical significance and object-like nature.

ancient remain

Highlights the age and the concept of something left behind.

historical remnant

Similar to historical artifact, but emphasizes the 'remaining' aspect.

bygone artifact

Highlights the passing of time and object-like nature.

remaining vestige

Focuses on the idea of something that remains or survives.

archaeological find

Focuses on the discovery and archaeological context.

antique object

Emphasizes the object's age and collectibility.

vintage item

A more modern term emphasizing age and value.

cultural heritage

Broader term referring to inherited traditions and monuments.

FAQs

How can I use "relic" in a sentence?

You can use "relic" to refer to an object or custom that remains from the past. For example, "The museum houses many ancient relics from the Roman Empire".

What's a good alternative to the word "relic"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "relic" could include "artifact", "remnant", or "vestige".

Is it appropriate to describe a person as a "relic"?

Describing a person as a "relic" can be seen as negative, suggesting they are outdated or no longer relevant. It's generally better to use other terms, like "throwback" or "holdover", if you want to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "relic" and "artifact"?

"Relic" often implies a sense of historical or sentimental value and is associated with something old that has survived. An "artifact" is a more general term for any object made or modified by humans, often of archaeological or historical interest.