Definitions

long in the tooth

ADJECTIVE

old

Synonyms

WEAK

aging getting on getting up in years gray-haired senescent white-haired

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One sign a hot theme is getting long in the tooth is an extreme divergence between the equal-weighted version of the S&P 500 and the regular, capitalization-weighted index.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Plenty of analysts have pointed out that this bull market is getting long in the tooth.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

“The metal’s been overextended and long in the tooth for weeks, so some profit-taking or even a shakeout like this can help to clear out the tourists before a potential next leg higher,” said Koos.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

"I hope this the Sky series will do that because I'm getting pretty long in the tooth and I can't go on doing this forever."

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2024

There are Lorton and Swanton--my lord can do as he pleases with them, and they'll go from you; and your cousin Meg, ugly and long in the tooth as she is, shall have them!

From The Castle Inn by Weyman, Stanley John