century old

USAGE SUMMARY

"century old" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that has been around for a very long time; for example, "The century old house was in desperate need of repair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Many are more than a century old.

The New York Times

Duck decoys a century old.

The New York Times

You would have been a century old today.

The New York Times

"It's almost a century old, but it still works.

The New Yorker

Hungary has a film tradition more than a century old.

The New York Times

The question is more than a century old.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Consider the nation's dams, on average a half-century old.

The New York Times

Still, that charter is more than a quarter-century old.

Huffington Post

Some century-old straw remains.

The New York Times

Did we walk under century-old trees?

The New Yorker

Century-old oak trees splintered like toothpicks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "century old" to clearly indicate an age of 100 years, especially when precision is important. For example, "The "century old" bridge is scheduled for renovation".

Common error

Avoid using "decade old" when you mean "century old". A decade is ten years, while a century is one hundred years. Ensure you're accurately representing the age of something by saying "century old" instead of "decade old" if it's actually a hundred years old.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "century old" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes something that is approximately one hundred years old. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "century old" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase employed to denote that something has existed for approximately 100 years. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is acceptable and appropriate for use in a range of written materials. It is common in contexts such as news reports and academic writing. While there are some sources where it is prevalent, this pattern could be influenced by limited dataset. When writing, be precise in your age descriptions and avoid using "decade old" when you mean "century old". Alternatives such as "one hundred years old" or "of centennial vintage" can add variety to your writing, but always ensure the accuracy of the context. The phrase's authoritative source is "The New York Times".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One hundred years old

Replaces "century" with its numerical equivalent for a more literal description.

A hundred years of age

Uses a more formal phrasing to express the same duration.

Of centennial vintage

Emphasizes the age using a term often associated with wine or other aged items.

Ages old

A more general term for great age, less precise than "century old".

From a bygone era

Focuses on the historical period something originates from, rather than its exact age.

Antique

A single word describing something old and often valuable.

Vintage

Similar to antique, but often used for items of a specific era.

Time-honored

Highlights the respect and tradition associated with something old.

Long-standing

Emphasizes the duration of existence or continuation.

Well-established

Indicates that something has been around for a significant period and is recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "century old" in a sentence?

You can use "century old" to describe something that is one hundred years old. For example, "The "century old" manuscript was carefully preserved".

What are some alternatives to "century old"?

Some alternatives include "one hundred years old", "of centennial vintage", or "ages old" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a century old" or "century old"?

"Century old" is generally used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "century old building"). "A century old" is less common, but can be used with slight differences in phrasing.

What's the difference between "century old" and "antique"?

"Century old" specifies an age of one hundred years. "Antique" is a more general term for something old and often valuable, but doesn't necessarily mean it's exactly a century old. A "vintage" item may also be of a certain age but not necessarily one hundred years.