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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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an outdated house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
Two 19-year-olds and one 16-year-old were killed, according to a Facebook post from Las Cruces Police. —Zoe Sottile, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 The 60-year-old called into The View for her segment, which ran for under 30 minutes. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
Cape Florida Light The Cape Florida Light, in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on the tip of Key Biscayne, is the oldest lighthouse in the state. —AFAR Media, 11 July 2025 The older elephants surround it, allowing the youngster to relax and play in the water while being protected from crocodiles lurking nearby. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 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
  • States and food pantries cannot cover food for needy elderly, children and the disabled without federal support.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025
  • Angel Contreras went to the San Diego Humane Society’s Gaines Street shelter on Sunday to pick up his elderly poodle after spotting her on the shelter’s website.
    — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Spanning about 30 hectares (74 ac), this ancient landscape has been under the microscope since the 1980s, thanks to pioneering archaeologist Dietrich Mania.
    — Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 July 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Reed Hastings, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, has signed on as an executive producer of the upcoming crime-thriller 52nd State, which is currently in production in Bogota, Colombia.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2025
  • Singer and actress Dua Lipa and American actor turned racer Patrick Dempsey were spotted at the event, while popular F1 names included Williams team principal James Vowles, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, and the Haas F1 team.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of former
Adjective
  • The main reason Jacksonville is so boring, FinanceBuzz found, is that much of its population is thinly scattered across the city.
    — Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
  • GoPro has also dropped a white version and a forest green version if black is too boring for you.
    — Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 8 July 2025
Definition of boring
Noun
  • All three were seized by the district attorney’s antiquities trafficking unit earlier this year.
    — Graham Bowley, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, the local government lacks the resources to step in; the antiquities authority itself has no financial allocations or operational budget in a country devastated by over a decade of war.
    — Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
Definition of antiquity
Adjective
  • Speculation had mounted that senior studio leaders would lose their jobs, but since April the company has had five big hits, including A Minecraft Movie and Sinners, and is feeling bullish once more.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • His career spans senior roles in London and Los Angeles within broadcasters, production companies and distributors, including positions at BBC Studios, Shine International and RDF.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025
Definition of senior
Adjective
  • Mehcad Brooks is departing NBC’s Law & Order after three seasons as Detective Jalen Shaw ahead of the venerable crime drama’s upcoming 25th season, Deadline has learned.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 July 2025
  • The other, the Union Station Gallery in the venerable train station’s Grand Hall, will operate July 13-26.
    — Dan Kelly July 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • But the real question is what kind of concrete retribution Trump could try to exact on his erstwhile political ally and campaign donor.
    — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 7 July 2025
  • On the way to the Fordyce’s second floor, the erstwhile opulence along Bathhouse Row becomes evident.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 June 2025
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 22 Jul. 2025.

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