old-time

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˈtīm 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier period

old-time songs

2

: of long standing

old-time residents

Synonyms of old-time

• vintage
• antique
• retro
• traditional
• historical
• historic
• antiquated

Examples of old-time in a Sentence

an old-time song that took the long-married couple back to when they were first dating

Recent Examples on the Web

With Howie Rose retiring across town with the Mets, the next time New York baseball has a classic, old-time radio voice is likely decades and decades into the future. —Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 4 May 2026

The menu has evolved over time, but the restaurant has made a point of preserving its old-time charm. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Perhaps the most sensitive matter is Iran, a nation of nasty clerics and old-time belligerents that declared war on America and Israel 47 years ago. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

Texas’ temple of old-time Reuben or Ruthie deli sandwiches had not taken credit cards for 60 years. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for old-time

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime

Kids Definition

old-time

adjective

ˌōl(d)-ˌtīm

1

: of, relating to, or typical of an earlier period

2

: of long standing

old-time residents