veteran — OAT

veteran

noun

an army veteran:

retired soldier;

old hand, old-timer, old stager;

past master, doyen, authority, master, grandmaster, master hand, expert, virtuoso, maestro;

informal pro, ace, hotshot, old warhorse.

▷antonyms novice, apprentice, recruit.

adjective

a veteran diplomat specializing in US affairs:

long-serving, seasoned, mature, old, established;

hardened;

adept, master, expert, consummate, well versed, well trained, practiced, experienced, worldly-wise, qualified, proficient, professional;

informal battle-scarred, crack, ace, mean.