# old

/ˈoʊɫd/ (US) · /ˈəʊld/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/old
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

having lived or existed for a long time. You use this to describe people, animals, or things that are not young or new.

For teachers: having lived or existed for a significant period of time; no longer young or new. Often modified by degree adverbs like 'very' or 'quite'.

## Examples

- My grandfather is a very old man.
- The researchers found an old map in the library that showed the city as it looked two hundred years ago.
- While modern architecture focuses on glass and steel, many people still prefer the character and history found in old stone buildings that have stood for centuries.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is more old than me" but "He is older than me" — The adjective 'old' is a one-syllable word and uses the '-er' suffix for its comparative form.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.