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new

A1
adverb
Very common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /njˈuː/

US

  • /ˈnju/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. recently made, introduced, acquired, or first encountered; not old

Beyond the definition

"New" describes something recently made, discovered, or experienced. It's the opposite of old! Think of a new car gleaming in the sunlight, a new friend you just met, or a new idea sparking in your mind. We often use "new" to signal excitement and possibility – a fresh start, an unexplored path. A "new moon" marks the start of a lunar cycle, symbolizing beginnings.

Sometimes "new" isn't about time at all, but about being unfamiliar. You might feel new to a city even if it's ancient, simply because you haven't explored it before. It can also describe something innovative: "a new approach" or "new technology." So, whether it's a shiny object or a different way of thinking, "new" signals change and potential.

Examples

  1. 1

    New purchase

    I bought a new phone because my old one stopped working.

  2. 2

    Job change

    She started a new job last month.

  3. 3

    New method

    We're trying a new way to save money.

  4. 4

    Unfamiliar information

    This information is new to me.

    • Patternnew to + person

      not known or familiar to that person

More examples
  1. 5

    New place

    I'm new to the city, so I still get lost sometimes.

    • Patternnew to + place

      not familiar with that place yet

  2. 6

    Learning stage

    I'm still new at this, so I may ask some basic questions.

    • Patternnew at + activity

      not very experienced with it yet

  3. 7

    Brand new

    The sofa isn't brand new, but it still looks good.

    • Phrasebrand new

      completely new

  4. 8

    Second-hand goods

    These shoes are second-hand, but they look like new.

    • Phraselike new

      in very good condition, almost as if never used

  5. 9

    Fresh start

    Moving to Canada gave him a new start.

    • Phrasea new start

      a chance to begin again

  6. 10

    Small talk

    What's new at work?

    • PhraseWhat's new?

      what has happened recently?

  7. 11

    Social change

    For many people, working from home became the new normal.

    • Phrasethe new normal

      a situation that used to be unusual but is now normal

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Do not confuse

Used with (collocations)

  • new idea
  • new job
  • new version

Word family

Explore

Forms and spellings

3 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • newadjectiveadverb

Forms

  • newestsuperlativeadjectiveadverb
  • newercomparativeadjectiveadverb