old-world

[ ohld-wurld ]

/ ˈoʊldˈwɜrld /

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See synonyms for old-world on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to the ancient world or to a former period of history.

of or relating to the Old World: old-world customs.

characteristic of the Old World; quaint; traditional.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of old-world

First recorded in 1705–15

OTHER WORDS FROM old-world

old-worldly, adjectiveold-world·li·ness, noun

Words nearby old-world

oldwife, Old Wives' summer, old wives' tale, old woman, old-womanish, old-world, Old World monkey, oldy, ole-, olea, oleaceous

Other definitions for old-world (2 of 2)

Old World

[ ohld-wurld ]

/ ˈoʊld ˌwɜrld /

noun

Europe, Asia, and Africa, especially when regarded collectively as the inhabited landmasses of the world known to Europe prior to its discovery of the Americas.

Eastern Hemisphere.

Compare New World.

Origin of Old World

First recorded in 1590–1600

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use old-world in a sentence

At Bloomer Creek Vineyard in Hector, winemakers Kim and Debra Engle recreate Old World wines, including beautifully balanced and food-friendly rieslings, gruner Veltliners, chardonnays, and cabernet francs.
An Eater’s Guide to the Finger Lakes|Taylor Tobin|October 22, 2021|Eater
The meats on a Bub’s hoagie — genoa‎ salami, hot and sweet capicola, pepperoni — are sourced from Citterio, an Old World purveyor that can trace its roots to 19th-century Italy.
The 25 best sandwiches in the D.C. area|Tim Carman|June 16, 2021|Washington Post
There are two layers of metal that sandwich a hardwood core under the hood, meaning the 104 handles like an Old World super-G ski when you want to haul ass in wide-open terrain.
Long-Term Review: The Best Skis, Period|Heather Schultz and Marc Peruzzi|March 4, 2021|Outside Online
Espresso breaks are common in Palermo, especially at the elegant, old world Antico Caffe Spinnato.
Palermo Is Not Just for the Mafia Anymore|Alia Akkam|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The tech world is all about innovation—yet refuses to retire the Old World value of ‘no adult content.’
Silicon Valley’s Soft Sex Ban|Joshua Rivera|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because, no matter how groundbreaking the tech world aspires to be, it still clings to one Old World value: no adult content.
Silicon Valley’s Soft Sex Ban|Joshua Rivera|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The bar itself is beautiful with gigantic carved wood cabinetry and all sorts of interesting, old-world bar utensils.
The Secret Speakeasies of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The place you were speaking to the world is heading towards new world order, I want to know what is wrong the old world order?
The Taliban’s Letter to Malala Yousafzai|The Daily Beast|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the old world, poverty seemed, and poverty was, the natural and inevitable lot of the greater portion of mankind.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The costumes were exceedingly grotesque and suggestive of the New rather than of the Old World.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
And he forgot his lesser self in this crowded atmosphere of ancient divinities and old-world splendour.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
What this troubled old world needs,Is fewer words and better deeds.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Aside from its antiquity, its old-world streets and historic buildings are quite up to the best of the English cities.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy

British Dictionary definitions for old-world (1 of 2)

old-world

adjective

of or characteristic of former times, esp, in Europe, quaint or traditional

Derived forms of old-world

old-worldly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for old-world (2 of 2)

Old World

noun

that part of the world that was known before the discovery of the Americas, comprising Europe, Asia, and Africa; the eastern hemisphere

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for old-world

Old World

The Eastern Hemisphere, especially Europe, as opposed to the New World — the Americas.

old-world

Origin of old-world

OTHER WORDS FROM old-world

Words nearby old-world

Other definitions for old-world (2 of 2)

Origin of Old World

Words related to old-world

How to use old-world in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for old-world (1 of 2)

Derived forms of old-world

British Dictionary definitions for old-world (2 of 2)

Cultural definitions for old-world