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old-world

old-world

3 7.3
From earlier times in Europe with traditional style
  • adjective
  • /oʊld wɜrld/
translation icon : antiguo
  • He pulls out a chair for the wife with an old-world charm.
  • old-world charm
  • old-world craftsmanship
  • old-world elegance

And it definitely has an Old World style less fruit, and it's amazing with food.

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Examples

  • Its charismatic leader was a proud murmurer, a Belgian with an old-world gentleness and remoteness of manner.

    Academic text (2010)
  • With its fantastic old-world charm in its decor, which includes an old bar, this quiet hotel becomes enlivened each evening as we join along singing old and favorite tunes to the accompaniment of a talented and very popular pianist.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In short, he wanted that noble old world he read about in his books.

  • And it definitely has an Old World style less fruit, and it's amazing with food.

  • This is a sign of the decline of things... old-world style, a sense of something.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Certain things in the room were worn, even a little shabby, but the overall ambiance was one of old-world elegance, luxury, and a bygone age.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • A gathering point for local society, it blends gentility and old-world charm with a leading-edge spa and innovative cuisine.

    Blog text (19)
  • An old-world saloon for the nouveau riche: red velvet curtains draped over large areas of exposed wall suggest a sense of tradition, power, and wealth.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The steeply pitched, gabled roof and exposed half-timbers give an old-world look.

  • A fireplace adds an element of warmth and old-world charm to a house.

Synonyms

traditional
vsold-world
994 1.5

Following long-held customs and ways of doing things

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
old
vsold-world
908 6.1

Relating to a very early stage in a language, period, or culture

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
old-fashioned
vsold-world
149 4.7

Not in style, like clothes or ideas from an earlier time

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
age-old
vsold-world
38 4.2

Very old and present for a long time

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
archaic
vsold-world
34 9.9

Very old and not used in everyday life

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
medieval
vsold-world
29 7.0

Very old-fashioned in ideas and often unfair

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
old-time
vsold-world
18 6.7

Like music or clothes from a past time that feel warm and familiar

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
antique
vsold-world
9 7.5

Old-fashioned and not modern

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
vintage
vsold-world
5 5.3

Old and from a past time that people value, like clothes or furniture

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
dated
vsold-world
3 6.2

Not modern and looking old-fashioned

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times
olde worlde
vsold-world
  • Archaic
9.9

Having the charming style of things from the past

is used for specifically European manner and style from past times

Antonyms

1.4

Relating to the present time and new ways of doing things

219 4.2

Belonging to the present time, often showing modern ideas

How Traditional

archaic
34 9.9
old-world
3 7.3
traditional
994 1.5
conventional
175 2.8

Surface Forms

old-world positive

Morphology

old-world = old + world (semi-transparent) = old + world

The components 'old' + 'world' are clear, but the phrase 'Old World' is a cultural-historical term (often referring to Europe/traditional styles) that learners may need background knowledge to interpret.

Etymology

Old-world comes from the phrase Old World, which meant the lands of Europe, Asia and Africa known to people in Europe before the Americas were discovered. So calling something old-world means it feels 'from former times' or has a 'traditional, often European' style.