new
nyoo
New (adj) means Made, created, or introduced recently. Example: “She bought a new phone last week.”
adj
1
Made, created, or introduced recently.
"She bought a new phone last week."
"They just released a new album."
"The town opened a new library near the train station."
2
In original, unused condition.
"The car still smelled new when they picked it up."
"He sold the jacket as new, with the tags still attached."
"Is this bike second-hand, or is it brand new?"
3
Unfamiliar or not previously known or experienced.
"This whole city feels new and exciting to me."
"Eating with chopsticks was a new experience for the little boy."
"Moving abroad meant learning new customs and a new language."
4
Inexperienced at something; a beginner.
"He's new to the job, so be patient with him."
"I'm new at cooking, so please tell me if the soup is too salty."
"The new recruits looked nervous on their first day."
How to use new
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRecently made, unused, unfamiliar, or inexperienced.
Common pairings
brand new
new to town
something new
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Word forms
- Plural
- news
- Third person singular
- news
- Past tense
- newed
- Comparative
- newer, more new
- Superlative
- newest, most new
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She bought a _____ phone last week.
Etymology
From Old English nēowe/nīwe, from Proto-Germanic *niwjaz, from a very old Indo-European root meaning "new" — related to Latin novus and Greek neos.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “new” mean?
The word “new” means made, created, or introduced recently. In plain terms, recently made, unused, unfamiliar, or inexperienced.
How do you pronounce “new”?
“New” is pronounced nyoo (/nju/ in IPA).
How do you use “new” in a sentence?
Here is “new” used in a sentence: “She bought a new phone last week.”
What is another word for “new”?
Words with a similar meaning to “new” include all-new, brand new, brand spanking new, cherry, fresh and green.
What is the opposite of “new”?
The opposite of “new” — its antonyms — is old.
What part of speech is “new”?
“New” is an adjective.
Where does the word “new” come from?
The word “new” comes from Latin. From Old English nēowe/nīwe, from Proto-Germanic *niwjaz, from a very old Indo-European root meaning "new" — related to Latin novus and Greek neos.
Is “new” a common word?
“New” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'new' and 'novel'?
'New' simply means recently made or introduced. 'Novel' goes further — it means new and original, something not seen before. A new phone is just the latest model; a novel idea is a genuinely fresh one. All novel things are new, but not all new things are novel.
What is the difference between 'new' and 'modern'?
'New' describes something recently made or acquired, whatever its style. 'Modern' describes something belonging to the present era or built in a current style. A new house might look modern or traditional; a modern building reflects contemporary tastes even if it was finished years ago.
What is the opposite of 'new'?
The main opposite is 'old,' meaning something that has existed for a long time. Depending on context, other opposites include 'used' or 'second-hand' (already owned), 'ancient' (very old), and 'outdated' (no longer current). 'Existing' contrasts with 'new' when you mean what is already there.
What is an example of 'new' as an adjective?
In 'she started a new job,' 'new' describes the job as recently begun. Other examples include 'a new car,' 'new evidence,' and 'a new neighbor.' In each case, 'new' tells you the noun is recent, fresh, or not present before.
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