old friend — longtime friend
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
someone you have known for a long time, often since childhood or many years ago.
Say it like a native
Textbook He is an acquaintance of very long standing.
Native He's an old friend of mine.
'Acquaintance of long standing' is stilted; 'an old friend of mine' is warm and normal.
Pattern: old friend (of mine/yours/his, etc.)
In use
- I met up with an old friend from high school last weekend.relationships
- If I feel stressed, I usually call an old friend to talk things over. It always helps me relax.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ We are old friends since ten years.
✓ We've been friends for ten years.
Don't say 'since X years'; use 'for ten years' (or just 'old friends').
Common collocations
an old friend— an old friend, old friends, of mine, from school
Don't confuse it
Do not confuse with 'elderly friend,' which refers to age.