newer

Newer is the comparative form of the adjective new. It is used to describe something that has a relatively greater degree of recency or freshness compared to another thing. In English, the standard comparative suffix -er is added to one-syllable adjectives like new, producing newer.

Etymology and form: New comes from Old English neowe/niwe, with the comparative form formed through the regular suffix -er. The word is typically used when contrasting two items or versions to indicate which one is more recently produced or released.

Usage and meaning: Newer generally conveys that one item is more up-to-date or recently created than another. It is commonly paired with than, as in newer model, newer version, or newer information. It can apply to time, versioning, updates, or generations, and is often used in technology, publishing, manufacturing, and everyday speech.

Notes on nuance: The word implies a relative comparison rather than an absolute statement about absolute modernity. When the most recent is meant, newer may be replaced by newest or latest. In contexts where formality is preferred, or when emphasizing the degree of recency, phrases like more recent are also used, though newer remains the more natural choice for one-syllable adjectives.

See also: new, newest, latest, up-to-date, modern.