adj

old

ohld

adj

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."

Former or previous, rather than current.

"He still keeps in touch with his old boss."

No longer fresh or new; past its best, especially of food.

"This bread has gone old and stale."

Used informally to show affection or familiarity, often paired with another adjective.

"Good old Dave, always first to help out."

noun

Used with "the" to mean older people as a group.

"The programme offers free transport for the old and disabled."

How to Use Old

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

older comparative, elder comparative, olds plural, Olds plural, oldest superlative, eldest superlative, oldermost superlative

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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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ancient long in the tooth paleo- ageing aging elderly on in years ex- former one-time past antiquated

Antonyms

brand new fresh new neo- ceno- young current latest

Related Words

new current young future fresh former drunk back

Rhymes for old

gold cold bold hold sold fold mold scold ahold behold uphold untold

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ancient long in the tooth paleo- ageing aging elderly on in years ex- former one-time past antiquated