new

adjective

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\ ˈnü

, chiefly British ˈnyü, in place names usually (ˌ)nu̇ or nə or (ˌ)ni

Definition of new

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : having recently come into existence : recent, modern I saw their new baby for the first time.

2a(1) : having been seen, used, or known for a short time : novel rice was a new crop for the area

(2) : unfamiliar visit new places

b : being other than the former or old a steady flow of new money He bought a new car.

3 : having been in a relationship or condition but a short time new to the job a new wife

4a : beginning as the resumption or repetition of a previous act or thing a new day the new edition

b : made or become fresh awoke a new person

c : relating to or being a new moon

5 : different from one of the same category that has existed previously new realism

6 : of dissimilar origin and usually of superior quality a new strain of hybrid corn

7 capitalized : modern sense 3 especially : having been in use after medieval times New Greek

new

adverb

Definition of new (Entry 2 of 3)

: newly, recently —usually used in combination

New

geographical name

\ ˈnü

, ˈnyü \

Definition of New (Entry 3 of 3)

river flowing 320 miles (515 kilometers) from northwestern North Carolina north across Virginia into West Virginia, where it joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River

Other Words from new Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About new

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Synonyms & Antonyms for new

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Adverb

Antonyms: Adjective

original

Antonyms: Adverb

anciently

Choose the Right Synonym for new

Adjective

new, novel, original, fresh mean having recently come into existence or use. new may apply to what is freshly made and unused new brick or has not been known before new designs or not experienced before. starts the new job novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented. a novel approach to the problem original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist. a man without one original idea fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness. a fresh start

Examples of new in a Sentence

Adjective They visited the new library. I saw their new baby for the first time. They planted new trees on the campus. a new kind of music She couldn't afford a new car, so she bought a used one. He bought the car new. She is eager to see his new apartment. This is my new stepsister. the young man and his new wife I made a new friend today.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Anderson and Perer both said those cases are probably not going to succeed, given the new decision. — Mark Scolforo, Star Tribune, 21 July 2021 Anderson and Perer both said those cases are probably not going to succeed, given the new decision. — BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2021 Increases typically follow a few weeks behind spikes in new infections, which have exploded across the state in recent weeks. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, 21 July 2021 Florida accounts for 20% of all new COVID-19 infections. — Analisa Novak, CBS News, 21 July 2021 The Delta variant represents the vast majority (83%) of new infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). — Kara Fox, CNN, 21 July 2021 It’s a complicated mix of vaccination rates among adults and children, plus hospitalization rates and the rates of new infections. — Washington Post, 21 July 2021 The media briefing also came one day after Ohio reported 744 new coronavirus infections, the state’s highest total in nearly two months. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland, 21 July 2021 The number of new infections and deaths in the U.S. has been ticking up in recent days, especially in states with low vaccination rates. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 21 July 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'new.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for new

Adjective

Middle English newe, new, nywe, going back to Old English nīowe, nīewe, nēowe, going back to Germanic *neuja- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German niuwi "new," Middle Dutch nieuwe, nûwe, Old Norse nýr, Gothic niujis), going back to Indo-European *neu̯i̯o-, derivative of *neu̯o- "new, young," whence Latin novus "new" (from *newos), Greek néos "young, fresh, new," Tocharian A ñu "new," Tocharian B ñuwe, Sanskrit návaḥ "new, fresh, young," Avestan nauua-, Hittite nēwa- "new"; also, going back to presumed ablaut variant, *nou̯o- (whence Old Church Slavic novŭ "new, recent") and *nou̯i̯o- (whence Old Irish náue, nuae "new, fresh," Welsh newydd, Lithuanian naũjas "new," Sanskrit návyaḥ "new, young"); also, going back to a derivative *neu̯ǝro- (parallel to Greek nearós "youthful, tender"), Armenian nor "new"

Note: A widely attested Indo-European adjective, apparently extant in all major branches except Albanian. Indo-European *neu̯o-, etc., may be based on *nu, *nuH "now" (see now entry 1).

Adverb

Middle English newe, going back to Old English nīwe, derivative of nīowe, nīewe new entry 1

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