Old & New Things: English Vocabulary List

something or someone that is familiar, comfortable, and easy to be around

"He is as comfortable as an old shoe."

"The old armchair was comfortable as an old shoe and nobody wanted to throw it away even though it was stained."

the forefront or leading position in a particular field or area of activity, characterized by the most advanced or innovative practices, technologies, or ideas

"The company uses cutting edge technology."

"The company uses cutting edge technology and is years ahead of its competitors."

(of a piece of equipment) very advanced in design

"This new laptop is an all singing, all dancing machine."

"The new smartphone is an all singing all dancing device that can do almost anything you can imagine."

the ultimate and conclusive statement or decision about a subject

"She had the last word."

"The manager's final word on the matter was that no further changes would be considered."

a short glance of what one is likely to experience or what might happen in the future

"The prototype shows the shape of things to come."

"The new electric car prototype is the shape of things to come in the automobile industry."

someone or something that presents a refreshing change compared to what existed before

"She is a breath of fresh air."

"Her innovative ideas were a welcome breath of fresh air in the stagnant company."

to completely fail to be effective

"Her old suitcase fell to pieces."

"After the founder died the company fell to pieces and was eventually sold to a competitor."

(of objects) in a perfect or unharmed condition

"The vintage car is in mint condition."

"The classic car was in mint condition and looked exactly as it did when it first left the factory fifty years ago."

used to describe something that has been used many times or has existed for an extended period of time and is no longer new

"That idea is old hat."

"The concept of a physical book is old hat now with the advent of e-readers and digital libraries."

to be ignored or left unused for a very long time

"The old bike gathers dust outside."

"My guitar has been collecting dust in the corner of my room because I haven't played it in years."

a business that has both real physical stores and also sells products or services online through a website or app

"Successful retailers use a bricks and clicks strategy."

"The successful retailer uses a bricks and clicks strategy by selling both in physical stores and online through their website."

to become outdated and no longer liked or supported

"That style went out of fashion."

"The once popular trend of wearing brightly colored neon clothing quickly went out of style."

something that is considered the most fashionable or advanced in comparison with others of the same type

"This is the last word."

"The new smartphone model represents the last word in mobile communication technology."

to age gradually, leading to a state of poor or declining condition

"The old house began to fall to pieces."

"Without regular maintenance, the historic building started to fall to pieces after many years."

(of a paper, particularly a newspaper) recently printed

"This news is hot off the press."

"We have the exclusive report on the scandal, hot off the press."