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
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 intensivea high old time
c —used to express an attitude of affection or amusementa big old dogflex the old bicepsany old time
old
nounDefinition of old (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : one of a specified age
—usually used in combinationa 3-year-old
2 : old or earlier time
—used in the phrase of oldthe cavalry of old
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizName That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quizWord Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share old
Time Traveler for old
The first known use of old was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century