# old money

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/old-money
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Families that have been wealthy for generations or members of such families.

## Examples

- She comes from old money, so she never worries about rent.
- The club only accepts members from old money, not people who got rich last year.
- Though the estate had crumbled, the family clung to the manners and pride of old money, as if breeding could pay the mounting debts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.