"Looks old" vs "Looks older"

Question

"Looks old" vs "Looks older"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Looks older' is used when comparing someone's appearance to a previous point in time, indicating a change in age. 'Looks old' is a general statement about someone's appearance without a specific comparison. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

This phrase is used when you want to describe someone's appearance as indicating an older age without referencing a specific comparison point. It is a general observation about the person's age based on their looks.

Examples:

She looks old in that photograph.
He looks old with that beard.
The house looks old and rundown.
The painting makes the room look old-fashioned.
The car looks old but still runs well.

Alternatives:

appears old
seems old
appears to be old
looks aged
appears aged

This phrase is used when you want to express that someone's appearance suggests they have aged compared to a previous time. It implies a relative comparison to a younger version of the person.

Examples:

She looks older than she did last year.
He looks older with that new haircut.
The dress makes her look older than her age.
The stress is making him look older than he is.
The makeup makes her look older than she actually is.

Alternatives:

appears older
seems older
appears to be older
looks more mature
appears more aged

Answer 1

Looks old

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to make a general statement about someone's appearance without a specific comparison to a previous time.

Answer 2

Looks older

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when comparing someone's appearance to a previous point in time, indicating a change in age.

"Looks old" vs "Looks older"

Looks old

Looks older

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