Anachronistic Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌænəkrəˈnɪstɪk/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Something or someone that is out of place in terms of time or context; an object, concept, or idea that belongs to a different time period.

Examples

• The ancient artifact was an anachronistic find in the modern city.
• The use of a smartphone in a medieval reenactment was an anachronistic mistake.

Synonyms

• Incongruous
• Out of place

Antonyms

• Contemporaneous
• Fitting

Additional Information

Anachronistic refers to something that is out of place in terms of time or context. This can include objects, concepts, or ideas that belong to a different time period. Anachronisms can often be found in historical fiction, where authors may intentionally or unintentionally include modern elements in a historical setting.

Anachronisms can also occur in everyday life, such as when someone uses a phrase or idiom that is no longer commonly used. Recognizing anachronisms can help individuals better understand the context and significance of a particular event or idea.

Etymology

The word “anachronistic” comes from the Greek words “ana” meaning “against” and “chronos” meaning “time”. It was first used in the 17th century to describe events or objects that were out of place in terms of time.

Usage Notes

Anachronistic is often used in historical or archaeological contexts to describe objects or events that are out of place in terms of time. It can also be used more broadly to describe anything that is out of place or incongruous.

Cultural References

The concept of anachronism has been explored in popular culture, such as in the movie “Back to the Future” where a character from the 1980s travels back in time to the 1950s and must avoid introducing anachronisms.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Out of place
• Out of time

Related Words or Phrases

• Achronism
• Incongruity

Collocations

• Anachronistic artifact
• Anachronistic mistake

Frequency of Use

Anachronistic is a relatively infrequently used word, but it can be found in a variety of contexts, including historical and archaeological writing, as well as in popular culture.

Common Misspellings

• Anachronisticc
• Anachranistic