veteran

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

n. old man, elder, patriarch, graybeard, oldster (inf.), old-timer (inf.), codger (inf.), gaffer (inf.); grandfather, grandmother; old campaigner, seasoned or old soldier, ex-soldier; octogenarian, nonagenarian, centenarian. See combatant, age.

II

(Roget's IV) modif.

Syn. seasoned, experienced, exercised, skilled, versed, hardened, weathered, inured, steady.

n.

1. [An experienced person]

Syn. master, expert, one long in service, sourdough*, old hand*, one of the old guard*, old bird*, old dog*, old timer*.

Ant. amateur*, New man, youngster.

2. [An experienced soldier]

Syn. ex-soldier, seasoned campaigner, ex-service man, reenlisted man, old soldier, war horse*, vet*, ex-G.I*.

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

professional, pro, seasoned pro, *vet, experienced hand, *old hand, old-timer, past master, senior, authority, expert, trouper, *war horse, ex-soldier.

ANT.: amateur, neophyte, beginner

II

a.

experienced, old, seasoned, professional, senior, practiced, hardened, masterly, battle-scarred, worldly-wise, weathered.

ANT.: inexperienced, immature, young, untried, amateur

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I noun One who has had long experience in a given activity or capacity: old hand. Informal: old-timer, vet. See ABILITY, KNOWLEDGE. II adjective Skilled or knowledgeable through long practice: experienced, old, practiced, seasoned, versed. Idiom: knowing the ropes. See ABILITY.