Finesentence logo

Oldest: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ
Add to dictionary

oldest

 

[ หˆoสŠldษชst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

age comparison

The term 'oldest' refers to the superlative form of 'old', indicating the greatest age among a group. It is often used to describe objects, people, or places that have been around for a significant period of time, often implying a degree of historical value or significance. For instance, something that is considered the oldest may serve as a reference point for understanding the history of a particular era or civilization. The usage can range from light-hearted remarks about someone's age to serious discussions about ancient artifacts. Its applications in both everyday conversation and academic discourse highlight the inherent value placed on longevity.

Synonyms

ancient, earliest, eldest, previous, primal

Examples of usage

  • The oldest tree in the park is over 500 years old.
  • He is the oldest member of the club.
  • This manuscript is the oldest known record of the event.

Translations

Translations of the word "oldest" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mais velho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รคltesten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tertua

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะฐะนัั‚ะฐั€ั–ัˆะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ najstarszy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆœ€ๅคใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท le plus ancien

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ el mรกs antiguo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท en eski

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ€์žฅ ์˜ค๋ž˜๋œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุฃู‚ุฏู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nejstarลกรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ najstarลกรญ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆœ€ๅค่€็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ najstarejลกi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ elsta

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะตาฃ ะตัะบั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒงแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒแƒ–แƒ” แƒฃแƒซแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒ”แƒกแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ษ™n qษ™dim

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ el mรกs antiguo

Etymology

The word 'oldest' derives from the Old English 'ald', which means 'old' or 'aged'. This root can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic term '*aldaz', which also conveyed the concept of age. Over the centuries, the word has transformed through various language influences, including Latin and Norse, solidifying its place in modern English as a descriptor of age. The superlative form 'oldest' was likely adopted to express the highest degree of age in comparative contexts. Historically, societies have always valued age, associating it with wisdom and experience, which has influenced the language used to describe it. Evolving through time, 'oldest' encapsulates both a physical and cultural significance, often being central to discussions about heritage, history, and the relevance of ancient entities.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,710, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.