old-style

IPA/ˈəʊld staɪl/
IPA/ˈəʊld staɪl/

old-style — adjective

1. having the look, customs, or ideas of an earlier time rather than a modern one

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

having the look, customs, or ideas of an earlier time rather than a modern one

Example

Yara chose an old-style wooden desk instead of a glass one.

collocation: old-style wooden desk

Christopher still prefers old-style manners like standing when guests enter.

collocation: old-style manners

Common collocations
  • old-style desk
  • old-style sign
  • old-style clothes
  • old-style manners
  • old-style methods
Synonyms
  • old-fashioned

    broader and more common; often used for attitudes and behavior as well as appearance

  • traditional

    stresses long-established custom or practice, not only an old look

  • retro

    suggests a modern item made to copy or celebrate an older style

Antonyms
  • modern

    belonging to the present time in style or ideas

  • contemporary

    current in design, taste, or way of thinking

Usage Note

Usually used before nouns for things such as furniture, signs, buildings, clothes, and social behavior. Compared with 'dated', it can sound neutral or even approving when the speaker likes the traditional look.

Common Mistakes

The app has an old-style security system.
The app has an outdated security system.
Use 'old-style' for appearance, customs, or traditional ways; use 'outdated' when something is no longer technically up to date.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words point back to the past, but they do not do the same job. 'Old-style' usually describes something that keeps the look or behavior of an earlier period, especially in fixed phrases like old-style furniture, old-style clothes, or old-style manners. 'Old-fashioned' is the broadest everyday choice and can also describe a person's opinions or habits. 'Traditional' focuses more on customs or long-standing practice than on visual appearance. 'Vintage' often suggests something genuinely old that is valued for quality or charm, while 'retro' usually describes a newer design that copies an older look on purpose.

old-fashioned ↗traditional ↗vintage ↗retro ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • old-style furniture
  • old-style manners
  • old-style cooking

Etymology

English

Formed in English from 'old' and 'style'. The compound developed to describe things that keep the appearance, habits, or design features of an earlier period.

First known use

1617

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective