old

play

adjective \ˈōld; for sense 9 usually ˈōl\

Definition of old

1a : dating from the remote past : ancient old traditionsb : persisting from an earlier time an old ailment they brought up the same old argumentc : 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 nameb 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 personb : 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 shoesb : no longer in use : discarded old ragsc : of a grayish or dusty color old mauved : tiresome gets old fast
9a : long familiar same old story good old Joeb —used as an intensive a high old timec —used to express an attitude of affection or amusement a big old dog flex the old biceps any old time

See old defined for English-language learners

See old defined for kids

Examples of old in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of old

Middle English, from Old English eald; akin to Old High German alt old, Latin alere to nourish, alescere to grow, altus high, deep

First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of old

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

old

noun

Definition of old

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

See old defined for English-language learners

Examples of old in a Sentence

Young and old alike will enjoy the movie.

Origin and Etymology of old

see ¹old

First Known Use: 13th century

OLD Defined for English Language Learners

old

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adjective

Definition of old for English Language Learners

: having lived for many years : not young
—used to talk about or ask about a person's age
: having a specified age

old

noun

Definition of old for English Language Learners

: a person who has a specified age
old : old people

OLD Defined for Kids

old

play

adjective \ˈōld\

Definition of old for Students

older

;

oldest

1 : having lived a long time an old dog
2 : showing the effects of time or use Grandpa wore an old coat.
3 : having existed for a specified length of time My brother is three years old.
4 : dating from the distant past : ancient an old custom
5 : having lasted or been such for a long time She's an old friend of mine.
6 : former My old neighbors came to visit.