old-fashioned

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˈfa-shənd How to pronounce old-fashioned (audio)
Definition of old-fashionednext
1
as in vintage
pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time an elegant, old-fashioned bun that was held in place with pearl hairpins

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in traditional
tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions I'm so old-fashioned that I actually think people should use standard grammar and punctuation when composing e-mails

Synonyms & Similar Words

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-fashioned That gives the car a charming, old-fashioned feel that belies the modern tech within. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 June 2026 These provers, along with old-fashioned human ingenuity, knocked down the open questions one at a time. — Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026 According to the Washingtonian, an old-fashioned telephone guest book was provided at the reception for guests to share advice for the couple. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 Ultimately, the team identified the Heaven Sword the old-fashioned way — by scaling the massive tree and dropping a tape measure from the top, according to a study published Friday in the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for old-fashioned
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-fashioned
  1. vintage
  2. traditional
  3. antique
  4. conservative
  5. retro
  6. orthodox
  7. antiquated
  8. historical
Adjective
  • Kofi Kingston performed a vintage elimination save spot with help from Prince Nana as the two wheelbarrowed back into the ring.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Birmingham is popular with motorcycle and auto racing fans because of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which boasts the largest collection of vintage motorcycles and Lotus race cars.
    — Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of vintage
Adjective
  • For these brands, lab-grown is in the name, and their styles are more akin to traditional natural diamond brands.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the business of journalism has changed so much financially, and a third of journalists don’t work for a traditional news organization.
    — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma sent a set of antique jewels from the grand ducal family to the Parisian jewelry house.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor’s fourth husband was responsible for many of her most famous baubles, including an antique diamond tiara and a Cartier ruby and diamond suite.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.
    — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, the Supreme Court's conservative majority said the states had brought their lawsuit too early.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of conservative
Adjective
  • Accented by aged brass and deep brown marble, the lamp easily flits between retro and moodier contemporary styles.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The fall 2026 campaign, shot by photographer Matt Easton, depicts Hilton next to stacks of retro TV sets broadcasting Not-Karl wearing a dark suit, tie and white shirt with a high collar.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of retro
Adjective
  • King’s indifference to orthodox formats enables formal mischief.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For a period, Pakistan deployed a 7-2 offside field against Cox to try and build some pressure, with a struggling Khurram Shahzad lacking the accuracy and rhythm to trouble him in more orthodox ways.
    — Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of orthodox
Adjective
  • Costco online cake ordering updates antiquated system The online cake ordering feature was first revealed to be on the way by Costco CEO Ron Vachris in the company's quarterly earnings call in December 2025.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, interviews and encounters with the slain officers’ family members also illustrate the cost and harm of a job that was formed in the early 19th century and remains antiquated and unchanged in our 21st-century world.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • Bonesho said this latest interpretation doesn’t lessen the artifact’s historical importance.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to the historical displays and remembrances, Bennett said, there will be music courtesy of local band Emerald City and games and activities for children.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of historical

Browse Nearby Words

oldfangled
old-fashioned
old-fashionedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Old-fashioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-fashioned. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All