old

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'old' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe people, objects, ideas, and habits as being outdated or experienced in comparison to something else. Example sentence: Michael has been working at the restaurant for over ten years, making him one of the oldest members of the staff.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Poor old Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Travel

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

For the first 12 years it was the plain old Terry Wogan Show and you were all Twits, the Terry Wogan is Tops Society.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's a funny old game.

The Guardian - Sport

Same old, same old.

The New York Times

Using these figures and the results of the 2010 general election, the exercise modelled the effects of a uniform swing from the old boundaries to new.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Eleven-year-old Haley Joel Osment's nomination for The Sixth Sense showed that the academy's weakness for child actors is alive and kicking, though he is far from the youngest ever.

The Guardian - Film

"We will stay up on the balcony for as long as it takes," said a 21-year-old woman who gave her name as Mouse.

The Guardian

In the second day of hearings on Tuesday, the judges described the two-year-old law as fundamentally changing the relationship between the individual and the government, giving Congress virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products for their own good.

The Guardian

A forty-year-old woman comes in with chest pain after a fight with her husband.

The Economist

Katherine Bavage is 28-year-old Lib Dem member Nick Clegg's departing message to Lib Dem conference was easy to anticipate: coalition may have been tough for the party but it remains right for the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing age, use "old" to convey duration and experience. For instance, an "old" building has likely witnessed significant events and undergone numerous changes.

Common error

While "old" is a versatile descriptor, avoid relying on it excessively. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "aged", "vintage", or "historic" to provide greater precision and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The word "old" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate age, duration, or prior existence. It can also function as a noun, referring to old people collectively. Ludwig AI provides examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Travel

10%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Sport

6%

Opinion

6%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "old" functions primarily as an adjective denoting age or prior existence. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media, Travel, and Arts contexts, and is considered grammatically correct. While versatile, avoiding overuse and diversifying vocabulary with synonyms like "aged" or "vintage" can enhance writing. Understanding its various applications and semantic range, from literal age to connotative value, allows for precise and effective communication. Ludwig AI underscores the word's widespread applicability and contextual adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aged

Emphasizes the state of being advanced in years.

ancient

Suggests a very long time ago, often with historical significance.

former

Indicates a previous role, state, or condition.

outdated

Implies something is no longer current or useful.

vintage

Refers to something from the past that is valued for its style or quality.

antiquated

Describes something that is old-fashioned and no longer suitable for modern use.

long-standing

Highlights the duration of existence or establishment.

past

Indicates something that has already happened or existed.

previous

Similar to "former" but can also refer to the immediately preceding item.

obsolete

Implies something is no longer produced or used; completely out of date.

FAQs

How can I use "old" in a sentence?

You can use "old" to describe the age of an object, person, or idea. For example, "That's an old car" or "She is an old friend".

What's the difference between "old" and "ancient"?

"Old" generally refers to something that has existed for a considerable time, while "ancient" implies a very distant past, often associated with historical significance.

When is it appropriate to use "vintage" instead of "old"?

"Vintage" is typically used when referring to items from the past that are valued for their design or quality, often implying collectibility or a specific era, instead of just general age like "old".

What are some alternative ways to say "old fashioned"?

Alternatives to "old fashioned" include "outdated", "antiquated", or "obsolete", depending on the context and the degree to which something is out of date.