old

adjective

\ˈōld;

for sense 9 usually ˈōl\

Definition of old

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : dating from the remote past : ancient old traditions

b : persisting from an earlier time an old ailment they brought up the same old argument

c : of long standing an old friend

2a : distinguished from an object of the same kind by being of an earlier date many still used the old name

b capitalized : belonging to an early period in the development of a language or literature Old Persian

3 : having existed for a specified period of time a child three years old

4 : of, relating to, or originating in a past era old chronicles record the event

5a : advanced in years or age an old person

b : showing the characteristics of age looked old at 20

6 : experienced an old trooper speaking of the last war

7 : former his old students

8a : showing the effects of time or use : worn, aged old shoes

b : no longer in use : discarded old rags

c : of a grayish or dusty color old mauve

d : tiresome gets old fast

9a : long familiar same old story good old Joe

b —used as an intensive a high old time

c —used to express an attitude of affection or amusement a big old dogflex the old bicepsany old time

old

noun

Definition of old (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : one of a specified age —usually used in combination a 3-year-old

2 : old or earlier time —used in the phrase of old the cavalry of old

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about old

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Choose the Right Synonym for old

Adjective

old, ancient, venerable, antique, antiquated, archaic, obsolete 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 ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. ancient accounts of dragons venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. the family's venerable patriarch antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. collected antique Chippendale furniture antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. antiquated teaching methods archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period 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

Examples of old in a Sentence

Adjective

He's an old man now. We rented an old black-and-white movie. There's an old saying that good fences make good neighbors. a new approach to an old problem She wore a T-shirt and an old pair of jeans. I wish you would stop wearing that dirty old hat! The hotel was old and dingy. the oldest known civilization in the region The house we live in is 50 years old. We went back to visit our old neighborhood.

Noun

Young and old alike will enjoy the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The hormone, 17α-methyltestosterone (MT), is sometimes prescribed for men with testosterone deficiencies and older women with breast cancer. — Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, "Something is changing the sex of Costa Rican crocodiles," 30 Aug. 2017 One button slings light love taps while another lays out a big smack, with a block button rounding out a trio practically as old as video games. — Steven Strom, Ars Technica, "Absolver hides its depth and beauty amid obtuse design," 29 Aug. 2017 Baffert’s 3-year-old colt West Coast picked up the 3 1/4-length victory over Gunnevera at the 1 1/4-mile dirt course. — Staff Reports, La Cañada Valley Sun, "Sports Briefs: Bergman called up by Seattle," 29 Aug. 2017 Sixty-five-year-old Virdell King pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act. — Detroit Free Press, "Former UAW official Virdell King pleads guilty in Fiat Chrysler case," 29 Aug. 2017 But Moholo-Moholo knows his old friends can never be replaced. — John Corbett, Chicago Reader, "South African drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo fans the spark of resistance into the flame of liberated jazz," 29 Aug. 2017 Johnny Depp is saying goodbye to his old Kentucky home. — Megan Stein, PEOPLE.com, "Johnny Depp’s $3 Million Kentucky Horse Farm Will Be Sold at Auction," 29 Aug. 2017 For example, radiographic images show old and new fractures, which suggest a pattern of multiple traumatic events. — Barbara Sadick, Kaiser Health News, "Elder Abuse: ERs Learn How To Protect A Vulnerable Population," 28 Aug. 2017 Watching Emily Thorne scam every rich person in the Hamptons never gets old. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Watch This: 14 Movies and TV Shows You Absolutely Can't Miss This Week," 27 Aug. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

There were other measures, like the percentage of 25-54-year-olds with jobs, which told a less sanguine story and more closely matched the disappointing wage gains. — Evan Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Wage growth is anemic, and that’s all you really care about," 17 May 2018 Three of the four involved 16-year-olds and one a 12-year-old, said Mary Anderson, spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Health and Human Services. — Donna St. George, Washington Post, "A cascade of hearts, a sense of loss: Suicide and social media in the suburbs," 2 Jan. 2018 Research has shown 16 and 17-year-olds are more likely to develop that habit of voting than 18-year-olds, who are often moving away from home to attend college or start work. — Kate Guarino, refinery29.com, "How Do I Register To Vote In The 2018 Midterm Elections?," 26 June 2018 The first four videos target 18-to-24-year olds, and future ads will target individuals aged 15 to 34. — Maegan Vazquez, CNN, "White House launches multimillion dollar ad campaign to combat opioid addiction," 7 June 2018 Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the state — the 10th nationally — and the second leading cause of death for 15 to 34 year olds in both Connecticut and the U.S., according to the CDC. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "Connecticut, A Leader In Prevention, Takes In Rising Suicide Rate," 9 June 2018 The overnight camp groups are Safari, for 8-12 year olds, which is located in Hunt, Texas, Echo; 13-15 year olds in Rocksprings, Texas; and Apex, for 17-18 year olds, which is a kayaking trip on the Pecos River in west Texas. — Rebecca Hazen, Houston Chronicle, "Kidventure offers outdoor summer fun for children," 11 Apr. 2018 Stephon Clark, the unarmed 22-year-old killed by Sacramento police officers earlier this month, was shot eight times, with most of the bullets hitting him in the back, according to an independent autopsy requested by his family’s attorneys. — Mark Berman, Philly.com, "Stephon Clark was shot eight times, mostly in his back, according to autopsy requested by his family," 31 Mar. 2018 One 14-year-old was hit in the leg and was in serious condition. — Hannah Leone, chicagotribune.com, "3 teens wounded in single shooting among 6 shot in Chicago Thursday, Friday," 6 July 2018

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