old

/oʊld/

Reviewed on

Type

Adjective

Meaning

  1. Having lived or existed for many years.

    • The old oak tree outside our kitchen window provides shade during the summer.

  2. Having a specified age or duration of existence.

    • My daughter is six years old and starting first grade this fall.

  3. Belonging to a past period or former state rather than the present.

    • I ran into my old boss at the airport.

  4. Worn or damaged as a result of prolonged use.

    • He threw away his old running shoes after holes formed in the soles.

  5. Known for a long time; long-standing.

    • We've been old friends since kindergarten.

    • Breaking old habits is harder than forming new ones.

How it's used

When this means “having existed for many years”

  • an old building
  • feeling old

The family lives in an old farmhouse down the road.

When this means “expressing age”

  • ten years old
  • months old

The kitten is only eight weeks old.

Collocations

  • old age
  • old friend
  • old habits
  • years old
  • good old days
  • old clothes
  • grow old

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

  • old school

    traditional in style or values

    His old school approach to customer service won over many loyal clients.

  • any old

    ordinary or arbitrary

    You cannot just pick any old tool to repair that delicate watch.