noun / adjective
antic
AN-tik/ˈæntɪk/
Playfully silly or outlandish behavior.
The adult's silly antics with a hat amuse the watching friends.
Etymology
The connection with “ancient” comes from strange, fantastic figures on ancient Roman murals. Their name broadened to bizarre behavior, giving antic its sense of a comical or playful act.
More examples
- His antic gestures turn the solemn scene into comedy.
- The teacher finally tires of their classroom antics.
- One elaborate antic involves balancing a spoon on his nose.
Forms
antic · antics