old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld How to pronounce old (audio)
Definition of oldnext
1
as in older
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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an old woman
an elderly woman
an octogenarian woman
a senior woman
a grandmotherly woman
an elder woman
an old house
an outdated house
an obsolete house
a previous house
a former house
an earlier house
old days
ancient days
archaic days
long-past days
in-those days
simpler days
an old town
a historic town
a classic town
a historical town
an ancient town
an old friend
a longtime friend
a past friend
a familiar friend
a longstanding friend
a previous friend

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

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
Those under 51 inches must have someone 14 years old or older accompanying them. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2025 At just 10 years old, Romeo made his modeling debut in a 2013 Burberry Kids campaign, which also featured Cara Delevingne, after he was named the face of the brand’s children’s line. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
If that’s not enough, there are multiple pools, a splash park, and dedicated kids play spaces, including Guppies Open Play (for little ones 6 months to 3 years), Splash Academy (3 to 12 year olds), and Entourage (13 to 17 year olds). —Kerry Spencer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024 The 21-year old averaged 3.7 points and 1.0 steals per game during exhibition play. —Tony East, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
  1. ancient
  2. former
  3. boring
  4. antiquity
  5. elderly
  6. venerable
  7. erstwhile
  8. stupid
Adjective
  • The company decided on the dire wolf for two main reasons: their ancient DNA was available, and they can safely be born using a surrogate.
    — Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The gray wolves share physical features with dire wolves but remain genetically and behaviorally distinct due to the limits of current technology and incomplete ancient DNA.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Torossian served as former Council President Paul Krekorian’s chief of staff before joining Councilmember Adrin Nazarian’s staff.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Previously, the administration of former Mayor Jerome Prince endorsed a controversial plan for Fulcrum BioEnergy to build a waste-to-energy plant on the site.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of former
Adjective
  • Anything that isn’t someone bleeding out is boring to them, that kind of thing.
    — Maria Fontoura, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Bring the shirt around your shoulders while adding extra color and dimension to your look—cold weather fits don’t have to be boring.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of boring
Noun
  • Just imagine being the guy who’s in charge of Greek antiquities.
    — Stephen Heyman, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In 2022, following a criminal investigation, several objects were seized including a gold sarcophagus and five other antiquities from the Met, as well as the indictment of seven dealers, collectors, and curators such as the former president of the Musée du Louvre Jean-Luc Martinez.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of antiquity
Adjective
  • Charges have been filed against an Oklahoma woman who is being accused of laundering nearly $1.5 million in funds obtained through online romance scams, targeting elderly women.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know Between October 2024 and January 2025, at least five elderly victims in Pittsburgh were tricked into handing over large sums of cash.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • The 27 Project Kuiper satellites will comprise the heaviest payload that the venerable Atlas V has ever flown, according to Amazon.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Note: If those prices are too steep, Arlington’s venerable Bigotes Restaurant is 1½ miles south off Stadium Drive.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • Immediately after the conclusion of the speech, the Senate moved to confirm erstwhile former Trump first-term Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker as ambassador to NATO.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Peace in Ukraine and the Middle East is proving to be far harder to achieve than the real estate deals envisaged by the president, while the bludgeon of tariffs is raising ever more opposition among erstwhile allies.
    — Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of erstwhile
Adjective
  • Amelia soon decides that stupid boys (and humans in general) aren't worth keeping around.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Sharing war plans outside U.S. government systems is the kind of offense that is almost too stupid to commit.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of stupid

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 15 Apr. 2025.

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