old-world

¹

[ ohld-wurld ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient world or to a former period of history.
2. of or relating to the Old World:

   old-world customs.

3. characteristic of the Old World; quaint; traditional.

Old World

²

[ ohld wurld ]

noun

1. 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.
2. Eastern Hemisphere.

Old World

¹

noun

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

old-world

²

adjective

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

Old World

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

Derived Forms

• ˌold-ˈworldly, adverb

Other Words From

• old-worldly adjective
• old-worldli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of old-world¹

First recorded in 1705–15

Origin of old-world²

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Outside Online

Espresso breaks are common in Palermo, especially at the elegant, old world Antico Caffe Spinnato.

From The Daily Beast

The tech world is all about innovation—yet refuses to retire the Old World value of ‘no adult content.’

From The Daily Beast

Because, no matter how groundbreaking the tech world aspires to be, it still clings to one Old World value: no adult content.

From The Daily Beast

The bar itself is beautiful with gigantic carved wood cabinetry and all sorts of interesting, old-world bar utensils.

From The 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?

From The Daily Beast

In the old world, poverty seemed, and poverty was, the natural and inevitable lot of the greater portion of mankind.

From Project Gutenberg

The costumes were exceedingly grotesque and suggestive of the New rather than of the Old World.

From Project Gutenberg

And he forgot his lesser self in this crowded atmosphere of ancient divinities and old-world splendour.

From Project Gutenberg

What this troubled old world needs,Is fewer words and better deeds.

From Project Gutenberg

Aside from its antiquity, its old-world streets and historic buildings are quite up to the best of the English cities.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antiquated
• archaic
• charming
• curious
• cute
• fanciful
• picturesque
• twee
• whimsical