older definition | Dictionary.com

old⋅er

[ohl-der]

–adjective

a comparative of old.

Synonyms:
Older, elder imply having greater age than something or someone else. Older is the usual form of the comparative of old: This building is older than that one. Elder, now greatly restricted in application, is used chiefly to indicate seniority in age as between any two people but especially priority of birth as between children born of the same parents: The elder brother became king.

Antonyms:
newer, younger.

old

[ohld]

adjective, old⋅er, old⋅est or eld⋅er, eld⋅est, noun

–adjective

1.	far advanced in the years of one's or its life: an old man; an old horse; an old tree.

2.	of or pertaining to the latter part of the life or term of existence of a person or thing: old age.

3.	as if or appearing to be far advanced in years: Worry had made him old.

4.	having lived or existed for a specified time: a man 30 years old; a century-old organization.

5.	having lived or existed as specified with relation to younger or newer persons or things: Jim is our oldest boy.

6.	having been aged for a specified time: This whiskey is eight years old.

7.	having been aged for a comparatively long time: old brandy.

8.	long known or in use: the same old excuse.

9.	overfamiliar to the point of tedium: Some jokes get old fast.

10.	belonging to the past: the good old days.

11.	having been in existence since the distant past: a fine old family.

12.	no longer in general use: This typewriter is an old model.

13.	acquired, made, or in use by one prior to the acquisition, making, or use of something more recent: When the new house was built, we sold the old one.

14.	of, pertaining to, or originating at an earlier period or date: old maps.

15.	prehistoric; ancient: There may have been an old land bridge between Asia and Alaska.

16.	(initial capital letter) (of a language) in its oldest known period, as attested by the earliest written records: Old Czech.

17.	experienced: He's an old hand at welding.

18.	of long standing; having been such for a comparatively long time: an old and trusted employee.

19.	(of colors) dull, faded, or subdued: old rose.

20.	deteriorated through age or long use; worn, decayed, or dilapidated: old clothes.

21.	Physical Geography. (of landforms) far advanced in reduction by erosion or the like.

22.	sedate, sensible, mature, or wise: That child seems old beyond his years.

23.	(used to indicate affection, familiarity, disparagement, or a personalization): good old Bob; that dirty old jalopy.

24.	Informal. (used as an intensive) great; uncommon: a high old time.

25.	former; having been so formerly: a dinner for his old students.

–noun

26.	(used with a plural verb) old persons collectively (usually prec. by the): appropriations to care for the old.

27.	a person or animal of a specified age or age group (used in combination): a class for six-year-olds; a horse race for three-year-olds.

28.	old or former time, often time long past: days of old.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE eald, ald; c. D old, G alt, Goth altheis; akin to ON ala to nourish

Related forms:

oldness, noun

Synonyms:
1. Old, aged, elderly all mean well along in years. An old person has lived long, nearly to the end of the usual period of life. An aged person is very far advanced in years, and is usually afflicted with the infirmities of age. An elderly person is somewhat old, but usually has the mellowness, satisfactions, and joys of age ahead. 9. olden, early.

Antonyms:
1. young.

Link To older

old (ōld)

adj. old·er, old·est

1. Having lived or existed for a relatively long time; far advanced in years or life.
2. Relatively advanced in age: Pamela is our oldest child.
3. Belonging to a remote or former period in history; ancient: old fossils.
4. Belonging to or being of an earlier time: her old classmates.
5. Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
6. Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
7. Used as an intensive: Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
8. Used to express affection or familiarity: Good ol' Sam.
Made long ago; in existence for many years: an old book.
Of or relating to a long life or to people who have had long lives: a ripe old age.
Having or exhibiting the physical characteristics of age: a prematurely old face.
Having or exhibiting the wisdom of age; mature: a child who is old for his years.
Having lived or existed for a specified length of time: She was 12 years old.
1. Belonging to a remote or former period in history; ancient: old fossils.
2. Belonging to or being of an earlier time: her old classmates.
3. Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
4. Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
5. Used as an intensive: Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
6. Used to express affection or familiarity: Good ol' Sam.
often Old Being the earlier or earliest of two or more related objects, stages, versions, or periods.
Geology
1. Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
2. Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
3. Used as an intensive: Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
4. Used to express affection or familiarity: Good ol' Sam.
Exhibiting the effects of time or long use; worn: an old coat.
Known through long acquaintance; long familiar: an old friend.
Skilled or able through long experience; practiced.
often ol' (ōl)
1. Used as an intensive: Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
2. Used to express affection or familiarity: Good ol' Sam.

An individual of a specified age: a five-year-old.
Old people considered as a group. Used with the: caring for the old.
Former times; yore: in days of old.

[Middle English, from Old English eald; see al-² in Indo-European roots.]
old'ness n.

Synonyms: These adjectives describe what belongs to or dates from an earlier time or period. Old is the most general term: old lace; an old saying.
Ancient pertains to the distant past: "the hills,/Rock-ribbed, and ancient as the sun" (William Cullen Bryant).
Archaic implies a very remote, often primitive period: an archaic Greek bronze of the seventh century B.C.
Antediluvian applies to what is extremely outdated: "a branch of one of your antediluvian families" (William Congreve).
Antique is applied to what is especially appreciated or valued because of its age: antique furniture; an antique vase.
Antiquated describes what is out of date, no longer fashionable, or discredited: "No idea is so antiquated that it was not once modern. No idea is so modern that it will not someday be antiquated" (Ellen Glasgow).

Usage Note: Old is the bluntest of the adjectives most commonly used in referring to advanced or advancing age. It generally suggests at least a degree of age-related infirmity, and for that reason it is often avoided in formal or polite speech. Many prefer elderly as a more neutral and respectful term, but it too can suggest frailty, especially in reference to individuals as opposed to a group or population. And while senior enjoys wide usage as both a noun and adjective in many civic or social contexts, it is often considered unpleasantly euphemistic in a phrase such as the senior couple living next door. · As a comparative form, older would logically seem to indicate greater age than old. Except when a direct comparison is being made, however, the opposite is generally true. The older man in the tweed jacket suggests a somewhat younger or more vigorous man than if one substitutes old or elderly. Where old expresses an absolute, an arrival at old age, older takes a more relative view of aging as a continuum—older, but not yet old. As such, older is more than just a euphemism for the blunter old, offering as it does a more precise term for someone between middle and advanced age. And unlike elderly, older does not particularly suggest frailness or infirmity, making it the natural choice in many situations. See Usage Note at elder¹.

Search another word or see older on Thesaurus | Reference

Older
Meet Single Older People Near You. View Profiles 100% Free. Join Now!

www.DatingForSeniors.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Advertise with Us · Link to Us · NASCAR® · Contact Us