Old World

¹ American  

[ohld wurld] / ˈoʊld ˌwɜrld /

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.

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old-world ² American  

[ohld-wurld] / ˈoʊldˈwɜrld /

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.

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old-world ¹ British  

adjective

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

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Old World ² British  

noun

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

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Old World Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• old-worldliness noun
• old-worldly adjective

Etymology

Origin of Old World¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Origin of old-world¹

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

By the twentieth century, the idea of Western civilization had taken hold in the U.S., which had earlier sought to distinguish itself from the Old World.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the staggering descriptions of Old World forests and the incredible human effort required to destroy them linger long after the saga concludes.

From Los Angeles Times

The Old World is never old until it’s gone, but in “Train Dreams” one feels it passing.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s an obvious appeal: Smoked to a deep mahogany color using Old World techniques the company’s founder carried with him as an immigrant from Poland, this is a turkey you don’t have to roast.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Aztec emperor Montezuma, one could say, was dethroned not so much by Cortés as by Old World germs and New World enemies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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