How do you use "Old money" in a sentence?

They're old money—been in the family for centuries. Old money doesn't flash it around. Very old money taste—understated but expensive.

Old money

Q: What does "Old money" mean?

Inherited wealth from established families Wealth that has been in a family for generations, as opposed to newly earned fortune. Often implies understated elegance and established social position.

Slang Term BritishAmerican ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Inherited wealth from established families

世代相传的家族财富

Riqueza heredada de familias establecidas

名家に代々伝わる財産

명문가에 대대로 전해 내려온 재산

Wealth that has been in a family for generations, as opposed to newly earned fortune. Often implies understated elegance and established social position.

家族中世代相传的财富，与新赚来的财富相对。通常暗示低调的优雅和稳固的社会地位。

Riqueza que ha permanecido en una familia durante generaciones, a diferencia de la fortuna recién ganada. A menudo implica una elegancia discreta y una posición social consolidada.

何世代にもわたって家族に受け継がれてきた富。新しく稼いだ財産とは対照的。控えめな優雅さと確立された社会的地位を意味することが多い。

여러 세대에 걸쳐 가문에 전해 내려온 재산으로, 새로 번 재산과 대비된다. 절제된 우아함과 확립된 사회적 지위를 암시하는 경우가 많다.

Examples

They're old money—been in the family for centuries.
他们是老钱家族——家产传了好几个世纪了
Son dinero viejo: lleva siglos en la familia
彼らは名家の出だ。財産は何世紀も前から一族にある
그들은 명문가 출신이야. 재산이 수백 년 동안 가문에 있었어.
Old money doesn't flash it around.
老钱家族不炫富
El dinero viejo no alardea
名家の人は富をひけらかさない
명문가 사람들은 부를 과시하지 않아.
Very old money taste—understated but expensive.
非常老钱的品味——低调但昂贵
Gusto de dinero viejo: discreto pero caro
名家らしい趣味、控えめだが高価
명문가다운 취향—절제되었지만 비싸.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: class discussion, social commentary

Tone: descriptive, often admiring

✓ Do Say

Old money family
老钱家族
familia de abolengo
名家
명문가 가족
Very old money
非常老钱风格
muy de dinero viejo
とても名家的
전형적인 명문가

✗ Don't Say

N/A—neutral term
无特别注意事项，中性表达
Sin restricciones: término neutral
特に注意点なし。中立的な表現
해당 없음—중립적인 표현

Common Mistakes

None significant

Origin & History

American term distinguishing established wealthy families (often from colonial or 19th century fortunes) from newly rich industrialists and entrepreneurs.

Etymology: Old (established) + money (wealth)

First recorded: Early 20th century American

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century onwards

Generation: All generations

Social background: Describes established wealthy families

Pop culture: Great Gatsby themes; British aristocracy

Regional notes: American origin, British adoption.

Variations

Old moneyOld money family