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

The Babe Rosé With Bubbles, a blend of white (Pinot Grigio) and red (Primitivo) grapes, has been a big hit, particularly with 21-35 year olds, said Mr. Ostrovksy. — Lettie Teague, WSJ, "Do Women Really Want Wine That’s Sweet, Pink and Silly?," 30 Oct. 2018 Another study released found that social media, especially Instagram, deepend feelings of anxiety and inadequacy for 15 to 24 year olds. — Christopher Carbone, Fox News, "Snapchat surgery: disturbing trend of patients wanting to look 'filtered' seen by doctors," 9 Aug. 2018 Mayor Rahm Emanuel was announcing a plan Wednesday to make free full-day pre-school available to all four-year-olds within four years, during a campaign-style event at Truman College. — John Byrne, chicagotribune.com, "Emanuel calls for free full-day public pre-school for 4-year-olds," 30 May 2018 In addition, viewers 65 and older spend twice as much time watching TV a week as 18- to 34-year-olds, according to Nielsen, prompting networks to pay closer attention to their interests. — John Jurgensen, WSJ, "TV’s Senior Moment," 13 Nov. 2018 Under New Mexico law, 14-year-olds convicted of first-degree murder are guaranteed a hearing to determine whether they should be sentenced as juveniles or as adults. — Mary Hudetz, The Seattle Times, "Prosecutor: Teen suspect in library shooting to plead guilty," 2 Oct. 2018 The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement estimates that only half of 18- to 29-year-olds voted in the 2016 election and less than 20% of 18- to 29-year-olds voted in the 2014 midterms. — Suzannah Weiss, Teen Vogue, "Snapchat Users of Voting Age Can Now Register Through the App," 26 Sep. 2018 And, really, how many 15-year-olds authoritatively discuss Italian cinematography or read biographies of the maharaja of Jaipur? — Michael Callahan, Town & Country, "Show Business Royalty Carys Zeta Douglas Is Ready for Her Close Up," 1 Aug. 2018 Some argue that 18- and 19-year-olds are allowed to drive trucks inside state lines, so what is the difference in crossing the border? — Washington Post, latimes.com, "To ease trucker shortage, Trump team considers dropping age requirement to 18," 29 June 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.