Ancient vs. Old — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 24, 2023
Ancient refers to times long past, often thousands of years ago, while Old denotes something having existed or been used for a long time, not necessarily from antiquity.
Difference Between Ancient and Old
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Key Differences
Ancient and Old are terms that differentiate based on the age or time period of an object, idea, or era. Ancient typically pertains to times that are from distant history, often thousands of years ago. It's a term we might associate with early civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt. On the other hand, Old, while indicating age, doesn't necessarily reach as far back in time as ancient does; an old book might be a century old, not millennia.
In architecture, structures might be referred to as ancient if they hail from antiquity, like the Ancient Roman Colosseum. However, a building described as old could simply be a few hundred years old, like an old Victorian home. Both terms indicate age, but Ancient invariably signifies a connection to a time much farther removed from the present.
When discussing traditions or customs, Ancient rituals might refer to practices rooted in early cultures or civilizations, often passed down through many generations. An old tradition, meanwhile, might be a family practice from a few generations back. Ancient carries a weight of deep historical context, while Old might merely denote something that's been around for a while.
Literary and philosophical works can also be described as Ancient or Old. Ancient texts could include scriptures or manuscripts from ancient civilizations, like the Ancient Greek works of Homer. Old literature, however, might reference classic literature from a few centuries ago, like old Renaissance plays. Both terms indicate age, but their scope varies considerably.
Lastly, in everyday language, Ancient might be used humorously to exaggerate the age of something or someone, emphasizing its age or antiquated nature. Old, in its broader usage, could describe anything from a worn-out pair of shoes to an elderly individual, not necessarily relating to historic times.
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Comparison Chart
Time Span
Often thousands of years
Could be decades to a few centuries
Common Usage
Refers to distant history and early civilizations
General term for something aged
Architecture
Structures from antiquity
Buildings a few centuries old
Traditions
Practices from early cultures
Practices a few generations old
Literature
Works from ancient civilizations
Literature from a few centuries ago
Compare with Definitions
Ancient
Belonging to the very distant past.
The Ancient pyramids of Egypt are wonders of the world.
Old
Possessing qualities or characteristics associated with age.
She has an old soul, wise beyond her years.
Ancient
Having been in existence for a very long time.
This ancient artifact is a testament to the skill of its creators.
Old
Having lived for a long time; no longer young
The old man lay propped up on cushions
Ancient
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence
The ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean
Old
Belonging to the past; former
Valuation under the old rating system was inexact
Ancient
An old man
A solitary ancient in a tweed jacket
Old
Of a specified age
A seven-month-old baby
He was fourteetn years old
Ancient
A standard, flag, or ensign.
Old
Used to express affection, familiarity, or contempt
Good old Mum
I didn't like playing with silly old dolls
Ancient
Of, relating to, or belonging to times long past, especially before the fall of the Western Roman Empire (AD 476)
Ancient cultures.
Old
Having lived or existed for a relatively long time; far advanced in years or life.
Ancient
Of great age; very old
"The males live up to six months—positively ancient, for a bee" (Elizabeth Royte).
Old
Relatively advanced in age
Pamela is our oldest child.
Ancient
(Archaic) Having the qualities associated with age, wisdom, or long use; venerable
"You seem a sober, ancient Gentleman by your habit" (Shakespeare).
Old
Made long ago; in existence for many years
An old book.
Ancient
A very old person.
Old
Of or relating to a long life or to people who have had long lives
A ripe old age.
Ancient
A person who lived in times long past.
Old
Having or exhibiting the physical characteristics of age
A prematurely old face.
Ancient
The peoples of the classical nations of antiquity.
Old
Having or exhibiting the wisdom of age; mature
A child who is old for his years.
Ancient
The ancient Greek and Roman authors.
Old
Having lived or existed for a specified length of time
She was 12 years old.
Ancient
(Archaic) An ensign; a flag.
Old
Exhibiting the effects of time or long use; worn
An old coat.
Ancient
(Obsolete) A flag-bearer or lieutenant.
Old
Known through long acquaintance; long familiar
An old friend.
Ancient
Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old.
An ancient city
An ancient forest
Old
Skilled or able through long experience; practiced
He is an old hand at doing home repairs.
Ancient
Existent or occurring in time long past, usually in remote ages; belonging to or associated with antiquity; old, as opposed to modern.
An ancient author
An ancient empire
Old
Belonging to a remote or former period in history; ancient
Old fossils.
Ancient
(history) Relating to antiquity as a primarily European historical period; the time before the Middle Ages.
Old
Belonging to or being of an earlier time
Her old classmates.
Ancient
(obsolete) Experienced; versed.
Old
Often Old Being the earlier or earliest of two or more related objects, stages, versions, or periods.
Ancient
(obsolete) Former; sometime.
Old
Having become slower in flow and less vigorous in action. Used of a river.
Ancient
A person who is very old.
Old
Having become simpler in form and of lower relief. Used of a landform.
Ancient
A person who lived in ancient times.
Old
Used as an intensive
Come back any old time. Don't give me any ol' excuse.
Ancient
One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
Old
Used to express affection or familiarity
Good ol' Sam.
Ancient
(obsolete) A senior; an elder; a predecessor.
Old
An individual of a specified age
A five-year-old.
Ancient
A flag, banner, standard or ensign.
Old
Old people considered as a group. Used with the
Caring for the old.
Ancient
The bearer of a flag; ensign
Old
Former times; yore
In days of old.
Ancient
Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at a great distance of time; belonging to times long past; specifically applied to the times before the fall of the Roman empire; - opposed to modern; as, ancient authors, literature, history; ancient days.
Witness those ancient empires of the earth.
Gildas Albanius . . . much ancienter than his namesake surnamed the Wise.
Old
Of an object, concept, relationship, etc., having existed for a relatively long period of time.
An old abandoned building
An old friend
Ancient
Old; that has been of long duration; of long standing; of great age; as, an ancient forest; an ancient castle.
Remove not the ancient landmarks, which thy fathers have set.
An ancient man, strangely habited, asked for quarters.
Old
Of a living being, having lived for most of the expected years.
A wrinkled old man
Ancient
Known for a long time, or from early times; - opposed to recent or new; as, the ancient continent.
A friend, perhaps, or an ancient acquaintance.
Old
Of a perishable item, having existed for most of, or more than, its shelf life.
An old loaf of bread
Ancient
Dignified, like an aged man; magisterial; venerable.
He wrought but some few hours of the day, and then would he seem very grave and ancient.
Old
Of a species or language, belonging to a lineage that is distantly related others
The ginkgo is one of the oldest living trees
Basque is the oldest language in Europe
Ancient
Experienced; versed.
Though [he] was the youngest brother, yet he was the most ancient in the business of the realm.
Old
Having been used and thus no longer new or unused.
I find that an old toothbrush is good to clean the keyboard with.
Ancient
Former; sometime.
They mourned their ancient leader lost.
Old
Having existed or lived for the specified time.
How old are they? She’s five years old and he's seven. We also have a young teen and a two-year-old child.
My great-grandfather lived to be a hundred and one years old.
Ancient
Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the moderns.
Old
(heading) Of an earlier time.
Ancient
An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a person of influence.
The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof.
Old
Former, previous.
My new car is not as good as my old one.
A school reunion for Old Etonians
Ancient
A senior; an elder; a predecessor.
Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . . were his ancients.
Old
That is no longer in existence.
The footpath follows the route of an old railway line.
Ancient
One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
Old
Obsolete; out-of-date.
That is the old way of doing things; now we do it this way.
Ancient
An ensign or flag.
More dishonorable ragged than an old-faced ancient.
Old
Familiar.
When he got drunk and quarrelsome they just gave him the old heave-ho.
Ancient
The bearer of a flag; an ensign.
This is Othello's ancient, as I take it.
Old
(UK) Being a graduate or alumnus of a school, especially a public school.
Ancient
Belonging to times long past especially of the historical period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire;
Ancient history
Ancient civilizations such as those of the Etruscans and Sumerians
Ancient Greece
Old
Tiresome after prolonged repetition.
Your constant pestering is getting old.
Ancient
Very old;
An ancient mariner
Old
Said of subdued colors, particularly reds, pinks and oranges, as if they had faded over time.
Ancient
Relating to the early history of civilizations.
The Ancient Greeks made significant advancements in philosophy and science.
Old
A grammatical intensifier, often used in describing something positive, and combined with another adjective.
We're having a good old time.
My next car will be a big old SUV.
My wife makes the best little old apple pie in Texas.
Any old
Ancient
Outdated or extremely old-fashioned.
His way of thinking is so ancient, it's almost comical.
Old
(obsolete) Excessive, abundant.
Ancient
Denoting the earliest period in history.
The Ancient Romans had a profound influence on architecture and government.
Old
|invariable plural only}} People who are old; old beings; the older generation, taken as a group.
A civilised society should always look after the old in the community.
Old
(slang) A person older than oneself, especially an adult in relation to a teenager.
Old
One's parents.
I had to sneak out to meet my girlfriend and tell the olds I was going to the library.
Old
A typically dark-coloured lager brewed by the traditional top-fermentation method.
Old
Open country.
Old
Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree.
Let not old age disgrace my high desire.
The melancholy news that we grow old.
Old
Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an old friendship.
Old
Formerly existing; ancient; not modern; preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise.
Old
Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; - designating the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a cathedral centuries old.
And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
Old
Long practiced; hence, skilled; experienced; cunning; as, an old offender; old in vice.
Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old.
Old
Long cultivated; as, an old farm; old land, as opposed to new land, that is, to land lately cleared.
Old
Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use; past usefulness; as, old shoes; old clothes.
Old
More than enough; abundant.
If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key.
Old
Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; - used disparagingly as a term of reproach.
Old
Old-fashioned; wonted; customary; as of old; as, the good old times; hence, colloquially, gay; jolly.
Old
Used colloquially as a term of cordiality and familiarity.
Old
Past times (especially in the phrase `in days of old')
Old
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age; especially not young; often used as a combining form to indicate an age as specified as in `a week-old baby';
An old man's eagle mind
His mother is very old
A ripe old age
How old are you?
Old
Of long duration; not new;
Old tradition
Old house
Old wine
Old country
Old friendships
Old money
Old
Of an earlier time;
His old classmates
Old
(used for emphasis) very familiar;
Good old boy
Same old story
Old
Lacking originality or spontaneity; no longer new;
Moth-eaten theories about race
Old
Just preceding something else in time or order;
The previous owner
My old house was larger
Old
Of a very early stage in development;
Old English is also called Anglo Saxon
Old High German is High German from the middle of the 9th to the end of the 11th century
Old
Old in experience;
An old offender
The older soldiers
Old
Used informally especially for emphasis;
A real honest-to-god live cowboy
Had us a high old time
Went upriver to look at a sure-enough fish wheel
Old
Having lived for a long time; aged.
The old oak tree has stood here for over a century.
Old
Made or built long ago.
This old house has a lot of character and history.
Old
Having been in existence or use for a long time.
I found an old photograph from my childhood.
Old
Used to denote affection, familiarity, or contempt.
Good old Bob always has a joke ready.
Common Curiosities
Is every old artifact considered Ancient?
Not necessarily. An artifact could be old (e.g., a century old) but not ancient (thousands of years old).
How might Old be used in affectionate terms?
Phrases like "good old days" or "my old friend" use "old" as a term of affection or familiarity.
How do Ancient and Old differ in general?
Ancient refers to times long past, often millennia ago, while Old indicates something has existed for a long time, but not necessarily from antiquity.
Can something from a few hundred years ago be considered Ancient?
Typically, no. Ancient usually pertains to times thousands of years ago, like Ancient Egypt or Rome.
Can an "old tradition" still be practiced today?
Yes, an old tradition simply means it's been practiced for a while, regardless of whether it's still active.
Can Ancient be used humorously?
Yes, it can be an exaggeration, like saying "this ancient computer" about a decade-old machine.
Is there a strict time frame that defines Ancient?
No strict cutoff exists, but Ancient typically implies a connection to civilizations or eras thousands of years ago.
Is "old" always related to age?
Primarily, yes, but it can also imply familiarity, like "old habits."
What's the difference between an "old book" and an "ancient manuscript"?
An old book might be a century or so old, while an ancient manuscript is likely many centuries to millennia old.
Can a person be described as Ancient?
Not literally, as humans don't live for millennia, but it can be used humorously or exaggeratively to imply great age.
Can cities be Ancient?
Yes, cities like Athens or Rome have ancient origins, with histories spanning millennia.
Does Old always mean worn out or decrepit?
No, old primarily indicates age, but not necessarily a state of disrepair.
Is every "old song" considered Ancient?
No, an old song might be from a few decades ago, while ancient would imply a connection to much older civilizations.
In what contexts is Ancient most commonly used?
Ancient is often used in historical, archaeological, or cultural contexts related to early civilizations.
Can a technology be described as Old or Ancient?
Yes, an "old" technology might be a few decades old, like a cassette tape, while "ancient" might exaggerate its age or refer to very early human tools.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
