What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stale
Example
The bread is stale, it's been sitting out for too long. [stale: adjective]
Example
The air in the room felt stale and stuffy. [stale: adjective]
Example
His jokes were getting stale, and nobody was laughing anymore. [stale: adjective]
old
Example
This building is very old, it was built in the 1800s. [old: adjective]
Example
My car is getting old, I've had it for over ten years. [old: adjective]
Example
That computer is too old to run the latest software. [old: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Old is more commonly used than stale in everyday language. Old is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while stale is more specific and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stale and old?
Both stale and old are relatively informal words, but old can be used in more formal contexts than stale due to its broader scope and versatility.
