 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | eald |
| |||||||||
old S1 W1
comparative older, superlative oldest
comparative older, superlative oldest1 something that is old has existed or been used for a long time [≠ new]: a pair of old shoes Some of the houses around here are very old. one of our oldest traditions
not new
a pair of old shoesSome of the houses around here are very old.one of our oldest traditions2
not young
a) someone who is old has lived for a very long time [≠ young]: an old man a home for old people
an old mana home for old people3 used to talk about how long a person or thing has lived or existed
age
somebody is old enough to know better (=used to say that you think someone should behave more sensibly)
somebody is old enough to be his/her/your mother/father (=used to say that someone is too old to be having a sexual relationship with someone else)
4 your old house, job, girlfriend etc is one that you used to have [= former]: I met up with one of my old girlfriends at the weekend. My old car was always breaking down. That happened when we were still in the old house. My old boss was awful!
that you used to have
[only before noun]I met up with one of my old girlfriends at the weekend.My old car was always breaking down.That happened when we were still in the old house.My old boss was awful! old flame (=someone with whom you used to have a romantic relationship)
5 old things are things that are familiar to you because you have seen them or experienced them many times before : It's good to get back into the old routine. I enjoyed seeing all the old familiar faces.
familiar
[only before noun]It's good to get back into the old routine.I enjoyed seeing all the old familiar faces.➔ it's the same old story
at story (9)6 an old friend, enemy etc is someone you have known for a long time : an old colleague They're old rivals.
very well known
[only before noun]an old colleagueThey're old rivals.8 an earlier time in your life, or in history, when things seemed better or worse than now : We like to chat about the good old days.
the good old days/the bad old days
We like to chat about the good old days.9 to feel or look better again after you have been ill or very unhappy : It's good to see you looking more like your old self again.
be/feel/look like your old self
It's good to see you looking more like your old self again.10 used to say that it does not matter which thing, place etc you choose : Oh, just wear any old thing. Phone any old time - I'm always here.
any old thing/place/time etc
spokenOh, just wear any old thing.Phone any old time - I'm always here.11 in an untidy or careless way : The papers had been dumped on my desk any old how.
any old how/way
spokenThe papers had been dumped on my desk any old how.12 used to talk about someone you like : Good old Keith! You poor old thing!
good/poor/silly old etc somebody
spokenGood old Keith!You poor old thing!13 used to talk about something you enjoy : We had a good old talk.
a good old something
also a right old something British English spokenWe had a good old talk.14 used to talk about someone you like and admire : You old devil! You were planning this all along!
old devil/rascal etc
spokenYou old devil! You were planning this all along!15 used to talk very rudely about someone you do not like :
old fool/bastard/bat etc
spoken not polite• the stupid old cow
16 a group of people within an organization or club who do not like changes or new ideas : He'll never manage to persuade the old guard.
the old guard
He'll never manage to persuade the old guard.17 to have a lot of experience of something : I'm an old hand at this game.
be an old hand (at something)
I'm an old hand at this game.18 to look or behave like someone much older than you, especially because of difficulties in your life
be old before your time
19 if you do something for old times' sake, you do it to remind yourself of a happy time in the past
for old times' sake
20 the country that you were born in, but that you no longer live in, used especially to mean Europe
the old country
especially American EnglishSAN21 a young person who seems to think and behave like an older person
an old head on young shoulders
British English23 old-fashioned and believing in old ideas and customs : a doctor of the old school
of/from the old school
a doctor of the old schoolWORD FOCUS: old WORD FOCUS: old
PEOPLE: elderly a polite word used to describe someone who is old
middle-aged aged between about 50 and 60 years old
senior citizen/senior American English/pensioner British English/retiree American English someone over 60 who has stopped working
senile old and mentally ill
ancient, geriatric, be getting on, be past it, be over the hill, be no spring chicken informal words and expressionsused to describe someone who is old, often used humorously
geriatric geriatric medicine, care, hospitals etc are for old people
THINGS/PLACES: ancient ancient civilizations, cities, buildings, traditions etc existed many hundreds of years ago
prehistoric existing many thousands of years ago
antique antique furniture, jewellery etc is old and often valuable
WORD FOCUS: old PEOPLE: elderly a polite word used to describe someone who is old
middle-aged aged between about 50 and 60 years old
senior citizen/senior American English/pensioner British English/retiree American English someone over 60 who has stopped working
senile old and mentally ill
ancient, geriatric, be getting on, be past it, be over the hill, be no spring chicken informal words and expressionsused to describe someone who is old, often used humorously
geriatric geriatric medicine, care, hospitals etc are for old people
THINGS/PLACES: ancient ancient civilizations, cities, buildings, traditions etc existed many hundreds of years ago
prehistoric existing many thousands of years ago
antique antique furniture, jewellery etc is old and often valuable
