old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld How to pronounce old (audio)
Definition of oldnext
1
as in elderly
being of advanced years and especially past middle age every day the old fisherman set out in his small boat to brave the dangers of the sea

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2
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past an extremely old piece of jewelry was discovered in the Egyptian ruins

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3
as in former
having been such at some previous time I ran into my old fourth-grade teacher yesterday

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4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest even the most stirring speeches start to get old after you've heard them a few times

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old

2 of 2

noun

as in antiquity

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than old?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than old?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of old
Adjective
Michael King, 54, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday, March 17, for the kidnapping, rape and murder of 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 By packing the 20-year-old arena to the tune of 19,478 against the Heat, the Hornets tied the franchise’s single-season record for sellouts at the edifice at the corner of Trade and Caldwell with 16. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
These conversations are important because 11– and 12-year-olds aren’t old enough to handle the pressures that come with using social media. —Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 The 28-year-old hauled in 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season, representing the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL career. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
  1. elderly
  2. ancient
  3. former
  4. boring
  5. antiquity
  6. senior
  7. venerable
  8. erstwhile
Adjective
  • The high temperatures particularly threaten babies, young children and elderly residents; Mayor Karen Bass urges residents to seek refuge in city cooling centers at recreation facilities and libraries.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The criminal complaints filed in Bridgeport alleged that operatives have routinely signed up elderly and disabled voters for absentee ballots and then returned to those voters to harvest their ballots.
    — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • They are inspired by the stories of ancient cultures, captivated by the serenity of nature's wonders, and exhilarated by the excitement of encountering wildlife in their natural habitats.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The Colosseum has a bright new look following a restoration using the same travertine marble of ancient Rome to recreate parts of columns from 2,000 years ago.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Ministers remain haunted by events in September 2000 when former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government, with a majority as large as Starmer’s now, was rocked as farmers and hauliers blockaded refineries and fuel depots amid fury over taxes levied on petrol and diesel.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The Republican field includes former state Republican Party chair Don Tracy and attorney Jeannie Evans.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Mann might have argued that there is not only a moral but also an artistic virtue in being outwardly boring and banal.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • More so, mines are too boring to compete for budget.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of boring
Noun
  • Defenders of the new classics—with its incorporation of race, gender, pop culture, and comparative frameworks—see it as a more faithful representation of antiquity itself.
    — Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Some mining companies received licenses to work inside sites without clearance from the antiquities authority due to war conditions.
    — Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of antiquity
Adjective
  • Corporate PACs, however, are funded by senior employees at large companies — a demographic that Talarico has no problem taking money from.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Many current biofuel mandates trace their origins to the 1970s energy shock, while the US Energy Independence and Security Act followed a 2007-08 price spike, said Dr Timothy Deehan, a senior oil analyst at LSEG.
    — Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of senior
Adjective
  • After a one-year hiatus due to road repairs near the summit of Mount Blue Sky, the venerable Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb returns to the Colorado cycling events calendar this year.
    — John Meyer, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • In the venerable Southern Sideboards cookbook, published by the Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi, a recipe contributor notes that she was given an angel biscuit recipe when she got married.
    — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • The erstwhile third baseman moved to right field midway through camp last spring then placed fourth among MLB right fielders in defensive runs saved as a rookie, per Sports Info Solutions.
    — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Directed and co-written by Alexandre Rockwell, the film follows an aspiring filmmaker (Steve Buscemi) who falls in with an irresistibly charming gangster (Seymour Cassel, who won Sundance’s first acting award) as his erstwhile producer.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of erstwhile

Phrases Containing old

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Cite this Entry

“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on old

Nglish: Translation of old for Spanish Speakers

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