age-old

/ˌeɪdʒ ˈəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌeɪdʒ ˈəʊld/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈāj-ˈōld/ (ame, mw)

age-old — adjective

1. describes a tradition, problem, question, or feeling that has been around for ma

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a tradition, problem, question, or feeling that has been around for many generations and is still part of life today.

例句

In Tainan, families still follow the age-old custom of cleaning ancestors' graves in April.

attributive: age-old + custom (cultural tradition)

Scientists are trying to answer the age-old question of why humans need to dream.

collocation: age-old question

同義詞
  • ancient

    stronger; suggests something thousands of years old; works for objects too

  • time-honoured

    positive tone; emphasises that something is respected because it has lasted

  • long-standing

    neutral; focuses on duration rather than cultural depth

反義詞
  • modern

    belonging to the present time

  • new

    recently created or introduced

文法句型

age-old + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used before a noun (attributive). Strongly prefers abstract nouns such as tradition, custom, question, problem, dilemma, rivalry, wisdom — rarely modifies concrete physical objects. Avoid using it to mean simply 'old' for a person or thing whose age you can measure in years.

常見錯誤

❌My grandfather is age-old.
✅My grandfather is very old.
💡age-old describes traditions or ideas, not a person's age.
❌I bought an age-old chair at the market.
✅I bought an antique chair at the market.
💡for old physical objects, use 'antique' or 'old'.