old-timey

American  

[ohld-tahy-mee] / ˈoʊldˈtaɪ mi /

adjective

Informal.

1. belonging to or characteristic of former times, usually eliciting a sentimental yearning for the past; old-time.

   an inn with charming, old-timey details.

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Etymology

Origin of old-timey

First recorded in 1850–55; old-time ( def. ) + -y ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

old-timey

The funniest part of that conversation is when Sam labels Judith a WOACA, a Woman of a Certain Age, pronouncing it as if he were Fozzie Bear punctuating a joke in an old-timey stand-up set.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

In 1996, Congress expanded the law to cover “interactive computer services,” an old-timey term for the internet.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

Brian is a jazz trumpet player and a little bit old-timey.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026

You hear the music of “Auld Lang Syne” on an old-timey organ, while John dons a Scottish accent and spins a tale about beasties while a wind sound effect blows in the background.

From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2025

There are freshmen battling with shepherds’ crooks from the prop table, which—I’m not going to lie—look exactly like the old-timey hooks from Simon’s nightmares.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli