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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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an outdated house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
Now Sarah Snook, the Australian actor who played Shiv Roy — older sister to Kieran Culkin’s Roman — makes her Broadway debut in Kip Williams’s intricately high-tech retelling of Oscar Wilde’s classic novel. —New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025 Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph brought back their old Bronx Beat fake talk show. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
The new season will see a fresh cast of three-to-five year olds spotlighted. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2024 The program starts in Green Bay’s Head Start program, meant for 3- to 4-year olds. —Nadia Scharf, Journal Sentinel, 23 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
  • Researchers in London recently uncovered a 2,000-year-old structure that once served as the hub of the bustling ancient city.
    — Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Beyond partying planning there is safety, security, and not a small amount of property—often ancient—to protect.
    — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Robert De Niro stars as former U.S. President George Mullen, who is pulled out of retirement to head the Zero Day Commission, a group of experts tasked with investigating the cyberattack.
    — Dana Feldman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Coughenour, an appointee of Republican former President Ronald Reagan, was the first judge to block the order via a temporary restraining order Jan. 23.
    — Nate Raymond, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of former
Adjective
  • The whole thing also looks pretty—budget and midrange phones tend to be super boring, but the Pixel 8A has a smart design with a matte rear texture.
    — Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Buck is a loquacious, glad-handing oaf who has a boring way with a witty story, and is marked for death.
    — Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of boring
Noun
  • First unveiled in January, the new typeface is inspired by antiquities that would have held the semi-mythical mithridate remedy created by Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus in the 1st century BC.
    — Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • But the United States is still a young country, and a longer, more global view yields fascinating parallels to our moment that date back to antiquity.
    — Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of antiquity
Adjective
  • Deputies located an elderly man and woman who were both deceased, according to a Facebook post by sheriff’s officials.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025
  • This is also where elderly people can apply for Medicare, which doesn’t have physical outposts of its own.
    — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • The venerable travel outfitter Abercrombie & Kent recently announced the launch of A&K Private Estates, a collection of five lavish villas located in some of Tuscany’s most picturesque towns.
    — Passport by ForbesLife, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The venerable late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year.
    — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • The erstwhile heir apparent stepped down as New World’s CEO in September and was succeeded by chief operating officer Eric Ma, who in turn, was replaced two months later by Echo Huang, the CEO of the company’s mainland subsidiary.
    — Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • According to a White House official, the guest list includes Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican and erstwhile presidential candidate; Michigan Representative John James; prison reform advocate Alice Johnson; and civil rights activist Alveda King.
    — Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of erstwhile
Adjective
  • That would have been a stupid question just about anywhere else, but the exhibition was by Laura Owens, a painter with a penchant for trickery, and the venue was Matthew Marks Gallery in New York, whose press release for Owens’s latest outing offered little in the way of explanation.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Thank you Hallie for thinking of me and putting my name in your stupid brother's ear.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of stupid

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Cite this Entry

“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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