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

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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
  • Joel has been collecting and restoring vintage bikes for decades.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The restaurant cart alongside it displays a dust buster, an industrial mixer, and a bucket of vintage Altoids containers.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of vintage
Adjective
  • Noyce, of Fairchild, went to a photography store and found a few serviceable lenses in a crate of antique movie cameras.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Someone wants to hike; someone else would rather browse antique shops; a few people are already asking what’s for dinner.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • The console lets users play N64 games with their original cartridges and controllers, using FPGA hardware instead of emulation software—the standard for retro machines—so there’s no lag during play.
    — Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Coincidentally named Jordan Green, he is played by Rock himself and cuts a retro figure, with an outfit—a rain jacket, a tie, a fedora—that reads like a nostalgic nod to classic-jazz album covers.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of retro
Adjective
  • Upon landing in Samarkand on Sunday night, Rubio was warmly embraced by Uzbekistan’s foreign minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, while two women clad in elaborate gold-and-black traditional dresses presented him with a bouquet.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In all these areas, the traditional aid system is falling short.
    — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • The row reached the competition jury’s press conference the day after the opening ceremony, where a reporter raised the question of historical fact and creative freedom.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Furthermore, the use of economic arguments to justify oppression has disturbing historical precedent.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • Both those historic actions happened as part of the Biden administration's focus on anti-money laundering and efforts to promote compliance with the then-emerging virtual currency industry.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Yeager's historic flight followed a series of unpowered glide tests, incuding three by Yeager himself in August of 1947, followed by ever faster subsonic powered flights.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of historic
Adjective
  • The antiquated federal code lacks any guidance for building these homes to withstand earthquakes, wildfires or tornadoes.
    — Arindam Chowdhury, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Adopting techniques from classic-Hollywood style, cinematographers dusted off antiquated equipment, using tungsten bulbs instead of LEDs to create the low-key contrasts typical of the genre.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • While today's freezers are packed with ice cream flavors such as cookies and cream, salted caramel and mint chocolate chip, some old-time favorites seem to have melted away.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Everybody has a favorite old-time neighborhood pizza stand or cafe.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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