vetus
[ˈwɛ.tʊs]
Old in Latin is vetus. If unsure, use vetus. Wiktionary also lists vetulus and senex.
Meaning: of a living being: having lived for relatively many years (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| vetus | [ˈwɛ.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈvɛː.tus] (narrow) |
| vetulus | [ˈwɛ.tʊ.ɫʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈvɛː.tu.lus] (narrow) |
| senex | [ˈsɛ.nɛks] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈsɛː.neks] (narrow) |
| annosus | [anˈnoː.sʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [anˈnɔː.s̬us] (narrow) |
vetus means old in the sense of having existed for a long time, for things like an old book or an old custom.
Which one should you use?
senex is the word for elderly people and also means an old man. vetulus is a diminutive, like little old and softens the description. annosus means full of years and stresses age. antiquus means ancient or very old. vetusculus is an endearing little form of vetus.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike vetus, senex works as a noun meaning old man as well as an adjective.
What mistakes should you avoid?
For an elderly person, senex is usually a better choice than vetus.
Did you know?
- The ancestor of the word vetus was once used in Proto-Celtic to describe a 'sow that has already given birth'.
- The root of senex is shared with the word 'senior' in English, as well as the Old Irish word sen and the Lithuanian senis.
Examples in context
- 1522, The Profane Feast (Conuiuium profanum)It is hard to accustom an old dog to a leash.This saying from 1522 is the Latin version of the idea that an old dog is hard to train.
- Hic liber vetus est.This is an old book.liber vetus means an old book.Tatoeba #1189954 by alexmarcelo, translation #55733 by CK
- Senex et foedus est.He's old and ugly.Senex describes a man of advanced age.Tatoeba #6330352 by CarpeLanam, translation #2220969 by Hybrid
- Homo vetusAn old person
- Casa vetusAn old house
- Est homo seniorHe is an old man
- Vetus amicusOld friend
- Res antiquaAncient object
- 90 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Quintus and Claudia are discussing an old horse in a stable.
- QuintusEquus vetus est.The horse is old.
- ClaudiaIta vero, sed fortis est.Indeed, but he is strong.
- QuintusNum eum servare possumus?Can we keep him alive?
- ClaudiaCur non, Quinte.Why not, Quintus.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old” translations and entries vetus, vetulus, senex, annosus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries annosus, senex, vetulus, vetus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
