old-world

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˈwər(-ə)ld How to pronounce old-world (audio)
Definition of old-worldnext
as in vintage
pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time the theater has been painstakingly restored to its old-world elegance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of old-world Inside, long wooden tables and an extensive list of 50 beers on tap create a lively, old-world setting; outside, the street party adds music, games and seasonal pours. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 14 Sep. 2026 Some people like old-world charm and zealously seek to preserve it. — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026 Today, fifth-generation Fiorentinos are the custodians of this old-world, grandest of grand hotels, nearing its 200th anniversary. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Now at the National Museum of American History, the vanilla silk crepe dress, with its single waterfall ruffle and narrow claret ribbon at the waist, hinted at old-world craft and restraint. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for old-world
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-world
  1. vintage
  2. antique
  3. retro
  4. traditional
  5. historical
  6. historic
  7. antiquated
  8. old-time
Adjective
  • Rounding out the composition is a selection of vintage rattan pieces and sculptural creations by Pretziada, a creative design practice based in Sardinia, and its artisans.
    — Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That sense of hospitality is even more pronounced on the second floor, with its vintage furniture and darkly luxurious decor of green stone, darkened zebrano, walnut and waxed bronzite, and velvet curtains.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of vintage
Adjective
  • The slouchy genuine-suede leather bag features stud detailing, antique silver hardware and a metal handle.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The bag features stud detailing, antique silver hardware and a metal handle.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • The collection, which will debut Friday when the film has its theatrical release, features the retro colors and patterns of the early 1970s.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Tyler Sanders, the owner of retro gaming store Steel Collectibles in Kennesaw, has many memories of lining up outside, sometimes in the cold, to get the latest console or game.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of retro
Adjective
  • In addition to traditional cancellation and interruption protection, the plan includes medical coverage, emergency evacuation benefits and reimbursement for certain travel inconveniences.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Keurig and Lavazza’s new pods ditch the traditional plastic cups for compostable coffee tablets.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, in Bar Sur, regional maker Cata Flaño contributed a massive mixed-media mural combining watercolors with local peat, driftwood, and historical navigation charts marked at 55 degrees south.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Rudnitzky said historical developments, the impact of the Oslo Accords and the entry of new Arab representatives into the Knesset contributed to a gradual shift away from Jewish parties, with more Arab voters turning to Arab parties.
    — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • In September 2026 Huang and a few collaborators uploaded a proof that the historic equations represent a single case of a much grander geometrical theory.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Days out from the historic vote, the race also has become a new venue for the city’s infamously rough-and-tumble politics.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of historic
Adjective
  • According to firefighters, the department’s flood response was also limited by an antiquated dispatch system.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Plaintiffs challenging the prohibition on home distilling claim the 1868 law is an antiquated relic of Reconstruction-era politics.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • Maine didn’t have the typical music scenes of the Midwest or West Coast and his old-time hobby of busking felt moot with everyone cooped up inside their homes.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The docent, red glasses in hand, slumps against the old-time cannon.
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of old-time

Browse Nearby Words

old wives' tales
old-world
oleaginous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Old-world.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-world. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of candidate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All