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old

old

908 6.1
Relating to a very early stage in a language, period, or culture
  • adjective
  • /oʊld/
translation icon : antiguo
  • Many old songs still resonate with people today, reminding us of simpler times.
  • Old Testament
  • Old World
  • Old Portuguese

That sound like old poetry can kill us.

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Examples

  • For, as the prophets of old used to say: The memory of virtue is immortal.

  • This is my take on the old Hollywood glam look.

  • It's a dance as old as time, as old as love.

  • Which is the oldest city in the world?

  • Go visit some old ruins or something.

  • It's an old English ballad.

  • Well, I prefer the old-fashioned way of meeting women.

  • Across Nigerian culture, fragments of old ways exist, but they are shorn of their meaning.

    Academic text (2008)
  • We're doing a television series like the old Jacques Cousteau series.

  • The ancient ruins are a testament to the old culture that once thrived there.

Synonyms

ancient
vsold
3.4

Very old and from a long time ago

means characteristic of an early developmental stage rather than mere great age
age-old
vsold
38 4.2

Very old and present for a long time

is about being characteristic of an early stage rather than long duration
olden
vsold
  • Archaic
16 9.6

From a time long ago when life was different

marks belonging to an early development stage rather than recent times
olde
vsold
  • Archaic
4 9.9

A spelling used to make a place or thing look like it is from the past

is the modern neutral spelling rather than a stylized historical form
hoary
vsold
  • Literature
3 9.9

Exists for a very long time, often about traditions, stories, or ideas

is about originating in an early historical stage rather than respected age
archaic
vsold
  • Specialized
2 9.3

A form of life that comes from an early stage of growth and has changed little since

focuses on being characteristic of an early historical stage rather than later
antediluvian
vsold
2 9.9

Very old-fashioned and out of date

is neutral about being outdated and focuses on early development stage
ald
vsold
  • Archaic
9.9

From a long time ago and not new

is the standard modern term rather than a regional historical variant

Antonyms

1.4

Relating to the present time and new ways of doing things

219 4.2

Belonging to the present time, often showing modern ideas

Idioms

To ask someone how old they are

To do something to remember happy times from the past

7 4.4

A person who is very like one of their parents in looks or behaviour

same old story
  • Informal
7 3.7

A situation that happens again and again and feels boring

old hat
  • Informal
4 7.1

Not interesting or fashionable because people have seen it before

any old thing
  • Informal
2 5.6

A thing of any kind, often not good or picked without care

little old me
  • Informal
2 9.3

A modest, joking way to talk about yourself when you get praise or attention

old as the hills
  • Informal
2 7.2

Very old and from a long time ago

1 7.9

To feel very tired and weak like an older person

1 7.4

Cause people to remember old hurts or problems

Old Nick
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A name for the Devil who tempts people and rules Hell

1 7.5

Someone presents a known idea as if it were new

An experienced person who uses skill and tricks to gain an advantage

Act in a proud, fake way to impress others

9.9

To behave in a boring, old-fashioned way around other people

any old how
  • Informal
8.8

In a careless, messy way

8.7

Easy pay you get with little or no work

New ideas put into an old way that do not bring real change

8.4

To bring up old arguments or painful memories again

A saying that claims a girl who has started her period is ready for sex and to have children

8.2

To get revenge or settle a past wrong

To get involved in other people's arguments or problems

9.9

To learn something surprising for the first time today

Compounds

380 1.0

A man who is very old

old man
  • Informal
312 1.4

A casual word for one's father

293 1.0

A woman who is past middle age

old man
  • Informal
287 2.7

A friendly way to call a man often older or in charge

215 2.1

A time in the past you remember with warm feelings

175 1.0

A person who is much older than most adults

old school
  • Informal
112 4.6

People who follow older ideas and ways rather than new ones

109 2.0

The later part of life after middle age when people often retire and may lose strength

107 1.0

A person or thing that is five years old

80 1.4

A child, animal, or thing that is two years old

70 1.0

A person, animal, or thing that is four years old

the Old One
  • Literature
62 9.9

A respected spirit of an ancestor who protects people and gives wisdom

53 3.4

The past that people remember with warm feelings

good old days
  • Informal
49 4.1

A past time people remember as happier or simpler

A person, animal, or thing that is three years old

old boy
  • UK
42 8.0

A friendly way to call a man you know well

old man
  • Slang
39 8.0

A slang word for a workplace boss

39 5.2

A person who has done something for a long time and is respected for their experience

old lady
  • Slang
36 8.8

An informal word men use for their wife or girlfriend

old boy
  • UK
34 7.6

A man who once went to a school, often a private school

28 2.8

A short traditional phrase that gives advice or a general truth

27 3.3

Books written before Jesus that form the first part of the Bible and are sacred to Jews and Christians

little old lady
  • Informal
24 4.2

An older woman who seems gentle and harmless

24 1.0

A child or animal that is one year old

old fart
  • Slang
17 9.7

An older person who seems out of touch and set in their ways

16 7.0

A group of longtime members who resist new ideas

16 4.0

Books that form the first part of the Christian Bible and contain Hebrew sacred writings

15 4.7

The parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa that Europeans knew before they discovered the Americas

old coot
  • Informal
15 9.5

An old man who behaves strangely and is often grumpy

14 4.2

A person you used to date

13 3.7

Made the day before and not fresh today

old growth
  • Specialized
12 6.6

A forest where people have not cut trees for a long time

12 3.9

A horse that is three years old and races in that age group

11 5.6

A whiskey drink made with bitters, sugar, and fruit

11 8.2

A friendly name people use for an older man in Britain

10 9.1

A white man often in the southern US who is friendly but supports his group and resists change

10 2.7

An age when someone has lived for a very long time

old folks' home
  • Informal
10 2.7

A place where older people who need help live and get care

old shit
  • Offensive
10 9.9

Problems from the past people keep bringing up

A traditional story or belief passed down that is not true

old bag
  • Slur
8 9.9

A rude word people use for an unpleasant older woman

old geezer
  • Offensive
8 8.8

A joking, slightly rude name for an old man

dirty old man
  • Offensive
8 8.4

An older man who makes sexual comments or touches younger people when they do not want him to

7 7.4

An old hurt that comes back when you remember it

7 8.0

A region of the southern United States before the Civil War known for plantations and slavery

old biddy
  • Slur
6 9.9

An unpleasant older woman who is fussy and nosy

old master
  • Specialized
6 8.4

A great European painter from before 1800 or a painting by them

5 3.4

The country a person or their family came from before moving

old maid
  • Slur
5 8.9

An older woman who has never married, often used as an insult

old broad
  • Offensive
5 9.5

An informal rude word for an older woman who is tough and speaks her mind

old boy
  • Informal
5 7.2

An older man who is lively and full of energy

Old English
  • Literature
4 9.9

An early form of the language spoken and written in England and southern Scotland before about AD 1100

old chestnut
  • Informal
4 7.9

A story or joke people tell so often that it becomes boring

old codger
  • Informal
4 8.4

A man who is elderly, a bit strange, and often grumpy

4 7.7

A common saying many people repeat that gives simple advice

little old man
  • Informal
3 2.1

An old small man who many people like

3 7.2

Beliefs and ways that people in a family or group keep for a long time

3 4.1

A famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park that shoots hot water and steam about every hour

3 3.7

A common name for the United States flag

old boy network
  • Literature
3 7.9

Men from the same schools who use connections to help each other get jobs and often keep others out

old fogey
  • Offensive
2 8.2

A person who prefers old ways and does not like change

2 9.9

A small plant with grey leaves often grown in gardens

1 6.9

People from families who have been rich for many generations

old style
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A traditional-looking font like books from long ago with small difference between thick and thin lines

1 6.5

The central court in London that hears serious criminal trials for England and Wales

Old French
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A type of French spoken and written from the 9th to the 15th century

1 5.5

A simple card game or the player who loses by holding an unmatched card

1 5.5

Wealth passed down in rich families for many generations

1 9.9

A language once spoken by Vikings in Scandinavia and Iceland

old salt
  • Informal
1 8.0

An older sailor who has spent many years at sea

old warhorse
  • Informal
1 6.9

An experienced reliable person who has worked in a job for a long time

1 9.9

The Italian language spoken and written before 1550

old-hat
  • Informal
1 6.8

No longer new or fashionable

How Old

ancient
3.4
archaic
34 9.9
old
908 6.1
early
1.0
modern
  • Specialized
78 3.2

Surface Forms

old positive
older comparative
oldest superlative

Etymology

Old in names like Old English comes from the old word eald meaning 'from long ago'. That's why Old marks a language or culture that belongs to an early stage in history.