Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Outdated or not modern: Describes something that is no longer in style or common use, often because it belongs to an earlier time.
   • Characteristic of past styles or manners: Describes attitudes, behaviors, or objects that reflect the tastes or customs of a previous era.

Usage

• The adjective "old-fashioned" is used to describe nouns. It can have a neutral, positive (suggesting charm or quality), or negative (suggesting irrelevance) connotation depending on context.
• It is typically placed before the noun it modifies (e.g., an old-fashioned idea) or used after a linking verb like "be" or "seem" (e.g., His methods are old-fashioned).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • She prefers old-fashioned values like politeness and hard work.
  • That's an old-fashioned telephone with a rotary dial.
  • His views on marriage are quite old-fashioned.

Advanced Usage

• "old-fashioned" as a descriptor of character: Often used to suggest someone is traditional or conservative in their habits.
  • Despite modern technology, my grandfather remains delightfully old-fashioned and writes letters by hand.

Variants and Related Words

• Old-fashionedness (noun): The quality of being old-fashioned.
  • The old-fashionedness of the hotel's decor was part of its appeal.
• Old-fashionedly (adverb): In an old-fashioned manner. (Note: This form is rare).
• Old-Fashioned (noun, capitalized): A specific type of cocktail made with whiskey, bitters, sugar, and fruit. This is a distinct, compound noun.
  • He ordered an Old-Fashioned at the bar.

Synonyms

• Outdated: No longer useful or current.
• Outmoded: Not in fashion; obsolete.
• Archaic: Very old or old-fashioned, often used for language or customs.
• Quaint: Attractively old-fashioned.

Antonyms

• Modern: Of or relating to the present or recent times.
• Contemporary: Belonging to or occurring in the present.
• Trendy: Very fashionable or up-to-date.
• Newfangled: Different from what one is used to; objectionably new.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Behind the times: Not aware of or using recent ideas or methods; old-fashioned.
  • The company's marketing strategy is behind the times.
• A relic of the past: Something old-fashioned that survives from an earlier time.
  • The fax machine is becoming a relic of the past.

Noun

1. a cocktail made of whiskey and bitters and sugar with fruit slices