: people whose families have been rich for a long time
He comes from old money.
: of, being, or related to people whose families have been rich for a long time
an old money family/neighborhood
Examples of old money in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Logan Holland, People.com, 22 July 2025
Michigan was old money, one of seven founding members of the Western Conference in 1896 — still the winningest program in college football history thanks mostly to the exploits of Fielding Yost (coach from 1901-26), Crisler and turncoat No. 3 in this story, Schembechler.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Like traveling back in time, the old money aesthetic takes a page out of Lisa Birnbach’s satirical guide, The Official Preppy Handbook, published in 1980.
—Logan Holland, People.com, 22 July 2025
Michigan was old money, one of seven founding members of the Western Conference in 1896 — still the winningest program in college football history thanks mostly to the exploits of Fielding Yost (coach from 1901-26), Crisler and turncoat No. 3 in this story, Schembechler.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
Looks that celebrate vintage or heritage items are also increasingly popular—just look to newstalgia, the old money aesthetic, and the apothecary aesthetic (to name a few) for proof that this old-is-new approach to decor is having a major moment.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for old money
Cite this Entry
“Old money.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old%20money. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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