vintage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vintage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is classic, old, or of high quality, often in reference to items like clothing, wine, or cars. Example: "She wore a beautiful vintage dress that she found at a thrift store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ilsar performs with long-time musical collaborators Daniel Pliner (synths) and Josh Ahearn (electric bass) as the Sticks and their debut single, World Maps, is funky and weird, with references to vintage video game music.

The Guardian - Music

Fresnes is of the same vintage as La Santé and boasts a similar roll-call of notorious ex-cons.

The Guardian

It's an unlikely setting for a chef who made his name with Le Chateaubriand, a vintage bistro with a bohemian bent in the 11th arrondissement, famed for its take-it-or-leave-it, daily-changing, market-driven set menus and championing edgy natural wines.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

House of Blondie is a vintage concept store, run by Kareena Vinaik, selling jewellery, sunglasses and kitsch blouses under dozens of oversized light bulbs.

The Guardian - Travel

Here, however, I could abuse the challenge and buy just as much by visiting upmarket vintage boutiques and filling my boots on eBay.

The Guardian

Floating Market, Regent's Canal, Mile End Park, E3, to 16 Aug, canalrivertrust.org.uk Part of London's much-loved community of barges and narrowboats becomes a vintage, crafts and foodie dream on water.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Charles Kennedy death caused by alcoholism, family says The programme then cut to a vintage clip of Kennedy joking about how the Liberal Democrats were causing a shift in politics and admitting he would have been "very happy" to come second in an election.

The Guardian

A good place to start is the long-running ernienotbert.blogspot.com, which offers remastered gems from a seemingly inexhaustible collection of rare, vintage Christmas vinyl.

The Guardian - Music

Visitors can try on replica uniform coats and vintage helmets, and watch movies about and veterans' videotaped accounts of D-day.

The Guardian

I unashamedly put a lot of effort into what I wear, spending hours on the hunt for, say, a destroyed vintage kimono.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you like vintage clothes, take a short walk to the famous Portobello Road market (Fridays and Saturdays), or pick up quirky trinkets from The Rise Gift Shop.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items as "vintage", specify the era or style to provide more context and appeal to the reader's understanding of the period.

Common error

Avoid using "vintage" as a generic term for anything old. Reserve it for items that represent a specific era's style and quality.

Linguistic Context

The word "vintage" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are from a previous era and often of high quality or style. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and the examples showcase its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vintage" is a correct and very common adjective used to describe items from a previous era, often associated with style and quality. It appears frequently in contexts such as News & Media, Travel and Lifestyle. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility and correctness. While synonyms like "classic", "retro", and "antique" can be used depending on context, "vintage" carries a unique connotation of nostalgia and appreciation for the past. Remember to specify the era or style for greater clarity and avoid overusing the term generically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

classic

Emphasizes enduring quality and timeless appeal, similar to "vintage" but can apply more broadly.

retro

Focuses on a style or fashion reminiscent of the recent past, often the mid-20th century, closely related to "vintage".

antique

Refers to items of considerable age and often high value, overlapping with "vintage" but typically older.

old-fashioned

Highlights a style or characteristic that is no longer current, similar to a particular sense of "vintage".

period

Denotes belonging to a specific era, useful when specifying a style or item as "vintage" from a certain time.

heirloom

Suggests an item passed down through generations, implying age and sentimental value akin to "vintage".

aged

Highlights the age of something, which can be a desirable quality in "vintage" items.

bygone

Indicates something from a past era, fitting the sense of "vintage" referring to older styles.

old-time

Similar to old-fashioned, but also suggests a sense of nostalgia.

archaistic

Describing something that deliberately imitates an older style.

FAQs

How can I use "vintage" in a sentence?

You can use "vintage" to describe items like "a vintage car", "vintage clothing", or "vintage furniture". It suggests the item is from a previous era and has a certain appeal because of its age and style.

What's the difference between "vintage" and "antique"?

"Vintage" typically refers to items from a more recent past, often the 20th century, while "antique" generally refers to items that are over 100 years old.

What can I say instead of "vintage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "classic", "retro", or "old-fashioned".

Is it correct to use "vintage" to describe something brand new?

No, "vintage" implies that the item is from a previous era. If something is new but styled to look old, it's more accurate to describe it as "vintage-inspired" or "retro-style".