old
ohld
Old (adj) means having existed for a long time; not new or young. Example: “The old house had stood on the corner for over a century.”
adj
1
Having existed for a long time; not new or young.
"The old house had stood on the corner for over a century."
"My grandmother is the oldest person in our family."
"The old oak tree in the park is much loved by the locals."
2
Former or previous, rather than current.
"He still keeps in touch with his old boss."
"I met my old classmates for dinner last weekend."
"The old rules no longer apply now that the system has changed."
3
No longer fresh or new; past its best, especially of food.
"This bread has gone old and stale."
"Throw away that old milk before it makes someone ill."
"The cheese in the fridge is old and has started to smell."
4
Used informally to show affection or familiarity, often paired with another adjective.
"Good old Dave, always first to help out."
"Silly old me, I left my umbrella on the train again."
"Well, you dear old thing, thank you for coming all this way."
noun
1
Used with "the" to mean older people as a group.
"The programme offers free transport for the old and disabled."
"The new housing scheme was designed to look after the old in the village."
"Neighbours often help the old by carrying their shopping home."
How to use old
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe basic word for something or someone that has existed a long time, or that is a previous version of something.
Common mistake
When talking about a person's age, "how old" asks for a number ("How old are you?"), while "old" alone can sound blunt or rude if used directly about someone's age.
Common pairings
old age
grow old
old friend
good old days
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Word forms
- Plural
- olds
- Comparative
- older, elder
- Superlative
- oldest, eldest, oldermost
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ house had stood on the corner for over a century.
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".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for old
See all rhymes for 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.
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