# oldest

/ˈoʊɫdəst/ (US) · /ˈəʊldəst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oldest
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. greatest in age

adjective · CEFR A1

having lived or existed for the longest time.

For teachers: the superlative degree of 'old', denoting the maximum age or duration of existence within a set.

- This is the oldest building in the city, built over four hundred years ago.
- Archaeologists recently discovered the oldest known fragments of pottery in the region, dating back to the early Neolithic period.

### 2. the first-born child

noun · CEFR B1

the person in a group or family who was born first.

For teachers: the individual possessing the greatest age among a specific cohort, typically siblings.

- As the oldest of four children, she often had to look after her younger brothers.
- Being the oldest in the family often carries a sense of responsibility that the younger siblings do not necessarily share.

Usage: often used with the definite article 'the'

## Examples

- She is the oldest student in the class.
- The oldest tree in the park was planted over two hundred years ago by the city's founders.
- Archaeologists recently uncovered the oldest known examples of cave paintings in the region, providing a rare glimpse into the symbolic lives of early humans.

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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.