- 1 not existing before; recently made, invented, introduced, etc. Have you read her new novel? new ways of doing things This idea isn't new. The latest model has over 100 new features. opposite old see also brand new Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, look adverbbrand, spanking, fairly, … See full entry
- 2the new noun [uncountable] something that is new It was a good mix of the old and the new. recently bought
- 3 recently bought Let me show you my new dress. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, look adverbbrand, spanking, fairly, … See full entry not used before
- 4 not used or owned by anyone before A second-hand car costs a fraction of a new one. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, look adverbbrand, spanking, fairly, … See full entry different
- 5 different from the previous one I like your new hairstyle. When do you start your new job? He's made a lot of new friends. Do you have her new phone number? Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe adverbvery, fairly, completely, … prepositionto phrasesnothing new about something, nothing new in something See full entry opposite old not familiar
- 6 already existing but not seen, experienced, etc. before; not familiar This is a new experience for me. I'd like to learn a new language. the discovery of a new star new to somebody Our system is probably new to you. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe adverbvery, fairly, completely, … prepositionto phrasesnothing new about something, nothing new in something See full entry recently arrived
- 7 new (to something) not yet familiar with something because you have only just started, arrived, etc. I should tell you, I'm completely new to this kind of work. I am new to the town. a new arrival/recruit You're new here, aren't you? new-
- 8used in compounds to describe something that has recently happened He was enjoying his new-found freedom. modern
- 9(usually with the) modern; of the latest type the new morality They called themselves the New Romantics. just beginning
- 10 [usually before noun] just beginning or beginning again a new day It was a new era in the history of our country. She went to Australia to start a new life. with fresh energy
- 11 having fresh energy, courage or health Since he changed jobs he's looked like a new man. recently produced
- 12 only recently produced or developed The new buds are appearing on the trees now. new potatoes (= ones dug from the soil early in the season) Word OriginOld English nīwe, nēowe, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch nieuw and German neu, from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit nava, Latin novus, and Greek neos ‘new’.Extra examples It was all very new and strange to me. She’s still quite new to the job and needs a lot of help. The car still looks new. There is nothing new in teenagers wanting to change the world. These ideas are not entirely new. a scratch on my brand new car genuinely new approaches to data recording very proud of their spanking new kitchen A second-hand car costs a lot less than a new one. Have you read her new book? He couldn’t stand the new breed of career politicians. He was new to the job and had not known how to deal with the situation. I was fairly new to teaching at the time. It’s too much to ask of someone who is so new to the profession. Jamila likes to try the new fashions coming in from Pakistan. New arrivals should have their passports ready for inspection. New students will be given a tour of the college facilities. The school secretary wants to introduce new ways of doing things in the office. This idea isn’t new. We offer intensive training to all new recruits. You’re new in this town, aren’t you?Idioms
not existing before
a situation or society that changes in a way that is meant to improve people’s lives but is often a source of extra problems the brave new world of technology
to make a new discovery or do something that has not been done before see also groundbreaking
to improve something by introducing new ideas and making people more interested in it The results of their research have breathed new life into the debate.
in very good condition, as it was when it was new I've had your coat cleaned—it's as good as new now.
(informal) used to say that something has become very fashionable and can be thought of as replacing something else Brown is the new black. Comedy is the new rock and roll. Fifty is the new forty.
new members or employees, especially young ones, with new ideas or ways of doing things This company badly needs to bring in some new blood.
(British English, often disapproving) a person who has just started to work for an organization, department, etc., especially in a senior job, and who is likely to make a lot of changes Well, you know what they say—a new broom sweeps clean.
(informal) a person who is new to a place, an organization, etc. Despite his six years in politics, he was still regarded by many as the new kid on the block.
a situation that used to be unusual but is now what you should expect This is not a temporary blip—this is the new normal. Scientists say these weather patterns could be the new normal for Florida.
(informal) used to say that you have not heard a particular idea, piece of information, joke, etc. before ‘Have you come across this before?’ ‘No, it's a new one on me.’
to change the way that a situation appears
(saying) (you cannot) successfully make people change their ideas, methods of work, etc., when they have had them for a long time
to change your way of life to become a better, more responsible person
(informal) used as a friendly greeting Hi! What's new?
Check pronunciation: new
