oldie
Americannoun
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oldies
plural
noun
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an old person or thing
-
a parent
children and their oldies
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of oldie
Explanation
An oldie is a beloved old song, TV show, or movie. Many radio stations specialize in playing "the golden oldies" — songs like "Poison Ivy" or "Shake Yo' Bootie." As time goes on, more and more highlights of popular culture become oldies — in the 1970s, people listened to oldies from the 50s, but today there are just as many classic radio oldies from the 70s and even 80s. You can also watch oldies on television — old shows in black and white like "Father Knows Best," or with obvious, dated laugh tracks, like "Gilligan's Island."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Decide for yourself as you watch a master not so much try to outdo an oldie, but earn a modestly rousing encore.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2024
The PA played an oldie: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” while the ice crew picked up the hats.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 4, 2023
His grin while performing another oldie, That Sound, is as wide as the river Tyne before a third stoppage threatens to really derail the momentum of the gig.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2023
Throughout the hard-rocking rendition of the Phil Hanseroth-penned oldie, Carlile vacillated between a raspy growl and clean-and-pristine pitch perfectionist, nailing her wind-down closing notes without accompaniment.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 11, 2022
An oldie but goodie, first played more than 3,400 years ago.
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2022
Los Retros became an influential act in a wave of Latino bands drawing from vintage Mexican balladeers, American oldies and modern indie rock.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
"It wasn't just the oldies who knew it the first time around. It's a classic song - it was really lovely hearing kids singing along with it."
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
"We're a bunch of oldies, but everyone gets stressed, everyone suffers loss and gets sad, everyone's happy, everyone has people in their life they love and people who annoy them," Forte said.
From Barron's ● May 20, 2026
But in L.A., none is so iconic as the giant looming penguin that signifies milkshakes, burgers, oldies playlists and sheer Americana at the end of the road.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
He had turned the radio to an oldies station, and he sang along with a song I’d never heard.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
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