Arcane-Archaic | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Arcane vs. Archaic

Arcane

/ɑːˈkeɪn/
Difficult to understand or known only by a few people.

Examples:

Her arcane knowledge of plant remedies was renowned in the village.The professor's lectures were filled with arcane references to ancient texts.He found the old manuscript's arcane symbols both intriguing and intimidating.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Archaic

/ɑː'keɪɪk/
Something that is very old and no longer used in everyday life.

Examples:

His archaic mindset clashed with modern trends.The manuscript was full of archaic language and phrases.Her dress had an archaic charm from another era.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Though both words start with arc, they are not interchangeable.
  • Arcane often refers to things that are mysterious or understood by few, suggesting a hidden aspect.
  • Archaic suggests something ancient or old-fashioned, indicating it is out of date or from an earlier time.
  • Remember, arcane is about obscurity and secrecy, like ancient spells, while archaic is about something that has become irrelevant because of time.
  • Visualize arcane as something shrouded in mystery and archaic as something in a dusty history book.
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