old-timer

noun

old-tim·​er ˈōl(d)-ˈtī-mər 

-ˌtī-mər

1

a

: veteran

b

: oldster

2

: something that is old-fashioned : antique

Synonyms of old-timer

• elder
• oldster
• adult
• geriatric
• ancient

Examples of old-timer in a Sentence

a group of old-timers playing shuffleboard

old-timers in the fishing industry couldn't remember a time when catches were so low

Recent Examples on the Web

There are several different subtypes of New York City Restaurant, from the humble old-timers (Katz’s, Nom Wah) to the temples of filthy lucre (Bemelmans, Rao’s). — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

While the boys bicker over stickball rules, old-timers Keith Hernandez, Willie Randolph and Tom Seaver argue from a stoop. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

There are the old-timers who have been cracking jokes on stage since before Gen Zers were born, including Marc Maron, Chelsea Handler and Martin Lawrence. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026

The three-wheelers are a far cry from the old-timers that only a year ago cruised the streets spewing clouds of black smoke. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for old-timer

• alzheimer
• climber
• dimer
• eimer
• primer
• rhymer
• timer
• heterodimer

Kids Definition

old-timer

noun

old-tim·​er

ōl(d)-ˈtī-mər

1

a

: veteran sense 1

b

: oldster

2

: something old-fashioned