Definition of New
Quick Meaning of New
Something new is made or bought recently and has not been used much or worn out yet.
Detailed Definition of New
Recently made, produced, or acquired; not old or used before.
How to Pronounce New
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: One syllable, pronounced like 'noo'. The 'ew' combination sounds like the 'oo' in 'food', not like 'eh'.
Watch out: Occasionally pronounced 'nay-oo' or 'nuh'; should be clear 'noo' sound.
Origin and Etymology of New
From Old English niwe and Latin novus, related to Greek neos meaning fresh or young.
How to Use New in a Sentence
Each example shows “new” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“I bought a new jacket yesterday.”
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“The new student joined our class last week.”
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“Modern technology has opened new possibilities for remote work.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of New
Common Synonyms for New
Smart Synonyms for New — When to Use Each
- fresh
- for things that feel clean and recently made
- recent
- for events or situations that happened lately
- modern
- for contemporary or up-to-date style
- latest
- for newest version or current fashion
Antonyms of New
Common Collocations with New
These phrases pair with “new” in everyday English:
- brand new
- new ideas
- new year
- new beginning
Common Mistakes When Using New
Even fluent speakers slip up with “new”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I have bought new shoes.
- ✓ Correct: I bought new shoes.
- Why: Simple past is more natural for a completed recent action than present perfect here.
- ✗ Wrong: She wore a new dress which was very nice.
- ✓ Correct: She wore a nice new dress.
- Why: Adjectives can be combined, but 'new' usually comes before other descriptive adjectives.
Words Confused With New
- New vs Young: New describes age of objects or recent creation; young describes age of people or animals.
Other Forms of New
Frequently Asked Questions About New
What is the meaning of "New"?
Something new is made or bought recently and has not been used much or worn out yet.
How do you pronounce "New"?
The IPA is /njuː/. One syllable, pronounced like 'noo'. The 'ew' combination sounds like the 'oo' in 'food', not like 'eh'.
What part of speech is "New"?
"New" is an adjective at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "New"?
Common synonyms include fresh, recent, modern.
How do you use "New" in a sentence?
For example: "I bought a new jacket yesterday."