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Ante words and the ante- prefix

This list brings together words that contain the letters a-n-t-e, from true ante- prefix words like antecedent and antechamber to everyday words such as canteen and lantern that simply share the same pattern. It suits spelling practice, word-search prep, and learners curious about the prefix ante-, which means before. Look closely at each word to see whether ante- carries meaning or is just part of the spelling.

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Ante words and the ante- prefix

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
antebellumadjectiveBelonging to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War.The tour guide described life on an antebellum plantation before the Civil War began.
antecedentnounA thing, event, or condition that came before and often influenced something that followed.Historians traced the antecedents of the revolution back several decades.
antechambernounA small room that leads into a larger, more important room.Visitors waited in the antechamber before being announced to the king.
antedateverbTo exist or happen at an earlier date than something else, or to assign an earlier date to a document.The ancient ruins antedate the earliest written records of the region by centuries.
antediluvianadjectiveExtremely old-fashioned or outdated, or literally belonging to the time before the biblical flood.My grandfather still refuses to replace his antediluvian rotary telephone.
antenataladjectiveRelating to the period before birth; concerning the care and monitoring of a pregnant woman and her fetus.She attended regular antenatal checkups throughout her pregnancy to monitor the baby's growth.
anteroomnounA small room that serves as an entrance to a larger, more important room.The lawyers waited in the anteroom until the judge was ready to see them.
anterioradjectiveSituated at or toward the front of something, or occurring earlier in time or sequence.The anterior part of the skull protects the front of the brain.
antepenultimateadjectiveThird from the last in a series; the one before the second-to-last item.Stress in this word falls on the antepenultimate syllable, not the final one.
antenounA sum of money a poker player must put into the pot before receiving cards.Each player placed a small ante into the pot before the dealer dealt the cards.
antelopenounA slender, fast-running, hoofed mammal with horns, found mainly in Africa and Asia.A herd of antelope grazed peacefully on the open savanna at dawn.
antennanounA metal rod or wire device used to send or receive radio, television, or other electromagnetic signals.He climbed onto the roof to adjust the television antenna during the storm.
anteaternounA mammal with a long snout and sticky tongue that feeds mainly on ants and termites.The anteater used its long tongue to pull insects out of the mound.
vigilantenounA person who takes it upon themselves to enforce the law or punish wrongdoers without legal authority.The masked vigilante in the comic book fights crime outside the official police force.
guaranteenounA firm promise that something will happen or that a product will meet a certain standard.The manufacturer offers a five-year guarantee on all replacement parts for the washing machine.
canteennounA cafeteria, especially in a school, factory, or military base, where meals are served.Workers gathered in the canteen for a quick lunch before returning to the factory floor.
mantelnounThe shelf above a fireplace, often used to display photographs or ornaments.They arranged framed photographs along the mantel above the crackling fireplace.
lanternnounA portable case, often with glass sides, that holds and protects a light source such as a candle or bulb.We hung a lantern on the porch to guide guests up the dark path.
plantedadjectivePlaced deliberately and secretly, especially evidence or a person, to deceive or mislead others.The lawyer argued that the drugs found in the car had been planted.
wantedadjectiveSought after, desired, or, especially, sought by the police in connection with a crime.The escaped prisoner remained one of the country's most wanted fugitives for years.
grantedconjunctionUsed to acknowledge a point as true before making a contrasting or qualifying statement.Granted, the plan has risks, but the potential benefits are worth considering.
chantedverbSaid or sung repeatedly in a rhythmic tone, often as part of a ritual, protest, or performance.The crowd chanted the team's name as the final seconds ticked away.
rantedverbSpoke or wrote in a loud, angry, and often lengthy way about something that upset you.He ranted about the delayed flight for a full ten minutes at the gate.
slantedadjectiveSloping at an angle rather than level or upright.Rain streaked across the slanted roof of the old barn.
warrantedadjectiveJustified or appropriate given the circumstances; deserved.The teacher felt the student's suspension was warranted after repeated warnings.
transplantedadjectiveMoved from its original place and reestablished elsewhere, as an organ, plant, or person.The transplanted kidney began functioning normally within a week of the surgery.
implantedadjectiveFixed or inserted firmly into a surface, tissue, or the mind, typically through deliberate placement.The implanted pacemaker keeps the patient's heartbeat steady.
cantedadjectiveTilted or sloped at an angle rather than level or upright.The old barn had a visibly canted roof that leaned to one side.
enchantedadjectiveFilled with delight and wonder, or placed under a magic spell.The children wandered through the enchanted forest of the fairy tale.
disenchantedadjectiveNo longer satisfied with or trusting of someone or something once admired or believed in.Many voters grew disenchanted with the party after years of broken promises.

What does the prefix ante- mean?

Ante- is a Latin prefix meaning before or in front of. It shows up in words like antecedent, something that came before, antedate, to date something earlier than it should be, and antebellum, meaning before a war. Not every word containing the letters a-n-t-e uses this prefix meaningfully; words like canteen and lantern just happen to share the same four letters without any connection to before.

Frequently asked questions

What does ante- mean at the start of a word?

It means before or in front of, as in antecedent or antebellum.

Is ante a word on its own?

Yes, ante is a noun and verb referring to a stake paid before a poker hand begins.