old
10 antonyms and opposites of old, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Having existed for a long time; not new or young.
Antonyms
How to use old
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English eald/ald ("aged, ancient"), going back through Proto-Germanic to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "grown, tall" — the same deep root that gives us "elder" and "eld".
Full origin of old →Frequently asked questions
What does “old” mean?
The word “old” means having existed for a long time; not new or young. In plain terms, the basic word for something or someone that has existed a long time, or that is a previous version of something.
How do you pronounce “old”?
“Old” is pronounced ohld (/ˈoʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “old” in a sentence?
Here is “old” used in a sentence: “The old house had stood on the corner for over a century.”
What is another word for “old”?
Words with a similar meaning to “old” include ancient, long in the tooth, paleo-, ageing, aging and elderly.
What is the opposite of “old”?
The opposite of “old” — its antonyms — are brand new, fresh, new, neo- and ceno-.
What part of speech is “old”?
Depending on how it is used, “old” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “old” come from?
The word “old” comes from Old English. From Old English eald/ald ("aged, ancient"), going back through Proto-Germanic to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "grown, tall" — the same deep root that gives us "elder" and "eld".
Is “old” a common word?
“Old” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'old' and 'ancient'?
'Old' simply means having existed for a long time — 'an old house,' 'old shoes.' 'Ancient' is far stronger, pointing to the distant past, often thousands of years ago — 'ancient Rome,' 'ancient ruins.' Everything ancient is old, but most old things are not ancient. 'Ancient' adds a sense of great age and history.
What is the opposite of 'old'?
It depends on the meaning. For the age of a person or living thing, the opposite is 'young.' For objects and ideas, the opposite is 'new.' An old man contrasts with a young man; an old phone contrasts with a new phone. 'Old' can be measured against either, so context decides.
Is 'old' a rude word for people?
It can feel blunt when applied to a person, which is why gentler terms like 'older,' 'elderly,' or 'senior' are often preferred in polite speech. Describing objects as old is perfectly neutral. For people, tone and word choice matter, since 'old' can sound dismissive if used carelessly.