old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld How to pronounce old (audio)
Definition of oldnext
1
as in elderly
being of advanced years and especially past middle age every day the old fisherman set out in his small boat to brave the dangers of the sea

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2
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past an extremely old piece of jewelry was discovered in the Egyptian ruins

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3
as in former
having been such at some previous time I ran into my old fourth-grade teacher yesterday

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4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest even the most stirring speeches start to get old after you've heard them a few times

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old

2 of 2

noun

as in antiquity

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words 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

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than old?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words 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

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than old?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of old
Adjective
Christopher Carl, a 29-year-old medical student nearing graduation, was among those who braved the afternoon heat to go cast a ballot. —From Staff Reports, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026 The decades-old power dynamic seems unlikely to change after Khamenei's death. —Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
These conversations are important because 11– and 12-year-olds aren’t old enough to handle the pressures that come with using social media. —Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 The 28-year-old hauled in 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season, representing the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL career. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
  1. elderly
  2. ancient
  3. former
  4. boring
  5. antiquity
  6. senior
  7. venerable
  8. erstwhile
Adjective
  • Before this assault in 1994, Kelley had served time for felony convictions in Middlesex County, including for assault on an elderly person.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Of the figures that Rosi’s camera captures, the one who comes most vividly to life is Titti, an elderly teacher working out of an old antiques shop.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • Around practically all galaxies are collections of mostly ancient stars known as globular clusters.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
  • All of those on hand noted the striking parallel between Purim, which commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from annihilation in ancient Persia, and the dismantling of government in what is now Iran.
    — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Shakir Khan, a former Lodi City Council member, was sentenced to three years in the San Joaquin County Jail for a conviction of election fraud and money laundering.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
  • And testimonials from former patients told stories of dreams come true after years of trying for a child.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Crank up some music and have a dance party during an otherwise boring moment.
    — Margery D. Rosen, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026
  • At this point, the UConn-dominance-is-boring crowd has had years to debate during the reigns of several incredible players.
    — Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of boring
Noun
  • With the help of an archaeologist from a Philadelphia university, the short swords and arrowheads were authenticated as antiquities dating back to 1600-1000 BCE from the southwestern Caspian Sea near the Talish Mountains region of Iran, CBP said.
    — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The manners by which stories of heroes were conveyed in antiquity were not so unlike the comic books, movies and TV shows, games, and high-profile PR events of the Marvel Universe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of antiquity
Adjective
  • But the county party official, who was the most senior Republican political leader in the chat, was not entirely absent either.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
  • In Iran, senior clerics responsible for selecting the next supreme leader are considering naming Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to the top post, according to reports.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya,Holly Ellyatt,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of senior
Adjective
  • And with whiskey supply in particular currently exceeding demand, some venerable distilleries are pausing production.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026
  • For more than 20 years, the venerable 1883 brick landmark building at the center of the small town of Lockeford sat dark and boarded up, the kind of building locals pointed at but never entered.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • The erstwhile third baseman moved to right field midway through camp last spring then placed fourth among MLB right fielders in defensive runs saved as a rookie, per Sports Info Solutions.
    — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Directed and co-written by Alexandre Rockwell, the film follows an aspiring filmmaker (Steve Buscemi) who falls in with an irresistibly charming gangster (Seymour Cassel, who won Sundance’s first acting award) as his erstwhile producer.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of erstwhile

Phrases Containing old

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Cite this Entry

“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on old

Nglish: Translation of old for Spanish Speakers

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