What is the opposite of young?

The opposite of “young” is “old.”

In English grammar and vocabulary, “young” refers to someone in the early stage of life or development. Its antonym “old” refers to someone or something that has lived or existed for a long time. This pair of words is one of the most common examples of antonyms taught in schools.

Examples in sentences

• The boy is young, but his grandfather is old.
• A young tree bends easily, while an old tree is stiff and strong.
• He may be young in age, but the book he reads is very old.

Other antonyms related to age

Thus, in vocabulary learning, students must remember that the direct opposite of “young” is “old,” though related words may also depend on context.