Standard Lemma guide

old-timer

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: OW2 L D T AY1 M ER0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

One who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience.

An elder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A: Hey, how's it going, old-timer? B: Ha ha, nice try — you're even older than I am! A: It takes one to know one, after all.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: oldster, oldie, senior citizen, ager, antique, badge-cove, cheeser, coffin dodger, crinkly, eld, elder, elderly, geriatric, genarian, geezer, grayhead, greyhead, hoarhead, mzee, old, no spring chicken, old timer, old-timer, oldtimer, older adult, senior, silver top, twirly, weazen, wrinkly

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: person

2

noun

Meaning 2

One who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience.

A veteran.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Some of the old-timers around here might be able to tell you how it all began.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: old hand, warhorse

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: person

3

noun

Meaning 3

an elderly man

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: oldtimer, gaffer, old geezer, antique

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: old man, greybeard, graybeard, Methuselah

4

noun

Meaning 4

an experienced person who has been through many battles; someone who has given long service

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: veteran, oldtimer, old hand, warhorse, old stager, stager

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: expert

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 老前輩 /老前辈 (lǎoqiánbèi) — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Finnish: veteraani — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • French: vétéran — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • German: alter Hase — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Māori: pūtoetoe — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Persian: قدیمی (qadimi) — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Polish: weteran — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Polish: weteranka — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Portuguese: veterano — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Romanian: veteran — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Romanian: vechi locuitor băștinaș — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Russian: старожи́л (starožíl) — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience
  • Russian: ветера́н (veterán) — one who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience