English Reference

Word

new

Phoneticsnew

US/ˈnju/

UK/njˈuː/

Definition

adj. not old or used before. You use this to describe something that has just been made, bought, or started.

adj. produced, introduced, or discovered recently or for the first time. Often used to describe something that has not previously existed or been experienced.

Examples

“I bought a new car yesterday.”

“The company is moving to a new office building in the city center next month.”

“The researchers are testing a new method for capturing carbon emissions that could significantly reduce the environmental impact of heavy industry if implemented on a global scale.”

Examples

simple

“I bought a new car yesterday.”

contextual

“The company is moving to a new office building in the city center next month.”

complex

“The researchers are testing a new method for capturing carbon emissions that could significantly reduce the environmental impact of heavy industry if implemented on a global scale.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “new” in context.

01. appreciation new 02. merit new 03. new discipline 04. new entity 05. new mode 06. new paradigm 07. new synthesis

Usage

Typically placed before the noun it modifies; can also follow a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

Word family

VERB

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

New(A1)

ADVERB

Related words

beginnerGreen

Idioms

01. dawn of a new day

02. emperor's new clothes

03. new dawn

04. new hotness

05. new kid in town

06. new kid on the block

07. new normal

08. new school

09. new territory

10. new wine in an old bottle

Show all 16

11. new wine in an old wineskin

12. old wine in a new bottle

13. put new wine in old bottles

14. there is a new sheriff in town

15. turn over a new leaf

16. what's new

Domain

Programming

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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English Reference