new

1 of 2

adjective

ˈnü

chiefly British

ˈnyü

in place names usually (ˌ)nu̇,

or nə,

or (ˌ)ni

Synonyms of new next

: having recently come into existence : recent, modern

I saw their new baby for the first time.

a(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

: being other than the former or old

a steady flow of new money

He bought a new car.

: having been in a relationship or condition but a short time

new to the job

a new wife

: beginning as the resumption or repetition of a previous act or thing

a new day

the new edition

: made or become fresh

awoke a new person

: relating to or being a new moon

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

new realism

: of dissimilar origin and usually of superior quality

a new strain of hybrid corn

capitalized : modern sense 3

especially : having been in use after medieval times

New Greek

newish

ˈnü-ish

ˈnyü-

adjective

newness noun

new

2 of 2

adverb

: newly, recently

—usually used in combination

Choose the Right Synonym for new

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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The county Registrar of Voters estimated that a special election to fill the vacancy would cost $350,000 to $600,000, but could go even higher due to new state election rules, said a city staff report. —

Joe Tash, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023 When DeSantis began pushing new rules on how race is taught, Dunn decided to take his tour statewide and to focus on students. —

Lori Rozsa, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2023 This is the web version of The Modern Board, a newsletter focusing on mastering the new rules of corporate leadership. —

Lila Maclellan, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2023 Any attempt to designate a building a historic landmark by someone other than the owner must receive preauthorization from the Naperville City Council before the review process can begin, new rules approved by the council this week say. —

Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2023 Tyler Posey received some support from Sarah Michelle Gellar at the premiere of his new Paramount+ movie on Wednesday in L.A. —

Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2023 The European Union's digital policy chief warned TikTok's boss Thursday that the social media app will have to fall in line with tough new rules for online platforms set to take effect later this year. —

Kelvin Chan, ajc, 19 Jan. 2023 Workers would have to work longer before receiving a pension under the new rules — with the nominal retirement age rising from 62 to 64. —

Sylvie Corbet, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023 French workers would have to work longer before receiving a pension under the new rules – with the nominal retirement age rising from 62 to 64. —

Sylvie Corbet And Jade Le Deley, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jan. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of new was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing new

Cite this Entry

Style

“New.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/new. Accessed 26 Jan. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

new

1 of 2 adjective

ˈn(y)ü

: not old : recent, modern

new ways of thinking

: not the same as the former : taking the place of one that came before

a new teacher

: recently discovered or learned about

new lands

new plants and animals

: not known or experienced before

new feelings

: not accustomed

new to this work

: beginning as a repeating of some previous act or thing

the new year

: refreshed in spirits or vigor

felt like a new person after my vacation

: being in a position or place for the first time

a new member

newness noun

new

2 of 2 adverb

: just recently

new-mown hay

Geographical Definition

New

geographical name

ˈnü

ˈnyü

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