45 Synonyms for “Old” and “Old-Fashioned”

Our culture’s attitude toward age is reflected in the often-pejorative meanings of words synonymous with old and old-fashioned, though some are neutral or even reverent.

Here are forty-five words that refer to people, places, and things that are, or are considered, old or old-fashioned. (Unrelated senses are also listed.)

1. Aged: advanced in age, typical of old age; also, at an age2. Aging: advancing in age, or the concept of growing older3. Ancient: aged, old-fashioned, or pertaining to long-ago times, or see venerable4. Anile: pertaining to or resembling an old woman, or see senile5. Antiquated: of advanced age, or out of fashion or style6. Archaic: pertaining to an earlier time7. Dated: old-fashioned; also, provided with a date8. Decrepit: infirm because of old age, or dilapidated, run down, or worn out9. Démodé: unfashionable10. Demoded: see démodé11. Doddering: see senile12. Elderly: pertaining to the late period of life, or old-fashioned13. Fossilized: see outmoded; also, fixed or rigid, or converted into a fossil14. Geriatric: old or out of style, or pertaining to older people or to the process of aging15. Kaput: outmoded; also, broken, or defeated or destroyed16. Long-lived: characterized by a long life span17. Medieval: see antiquated and outmoded; also, pertaining to the Middle Ages in Europe18. Moribund: inactive, obsolete, or nearing death19. Mossy: see antiquated; also, something similar to moss, or covered by moss or something similar20. Moth-eaten: see antiquated and outmoded; also, eaten by moths or their larvae21. Noachian: see ancient and antiquated; also, pertaining to Noah or the era in which he lived22. Neolithic: old-fashioned because a holdover from another era; also, a scientific term (always capitalized) referring to the later Stone Age23. Obsolete: old-fashioned, or no longer useful; also, in biology, flawed or vestigial in comparison to similar features24. Out of date: see outmoded25. Outdated: see outmoded26. Outmoded: out of style, or not acceptable or current27. Outworn: see outmoded28. Overage: too old to be of use, or older than normal29. Over the hill: advanced in age, or past one’s prime30. Passé: past one’s prime, and see outmoded31. Prehistoric: see outmoded; also, in archaeology and language, from before written history32. Quaint: old-fashioned; also, odd, elegant, or skillfully designed33. Retro: see retrograde (however, the short form is from the French term rétrospectif, not from retrograde)34. Retrograde: fashionable nostalgic, or trendily old-fashioned; also, various technical senses of moving backward or contrary to normal motion35. Rusty: clumsy or slow due to old age or lack of practice36. Senescent: old, or becoming old; also, the part of a plant’s life cycle from full maturity onward37. Senile: pertaining to old age, especially to loss of mental faculties38. Senior: older, or older than another; also, someone in the highest level in an institution or organization or with high rank or status39. Spavined: see decrepit; also, afflicted with swelling40. Stone Age: a period or a stage in the development of a field or institution considered old or old-fashioned; also, in archeology, the earliest period of human culture (always capitalized in both senses)41. Superannuated: older than is typical, disqualified for active duty because of age, or old-fashioned42. Tottery: infirm or precarious43. Unyoung: old44. Venerable: prompting respect because of age and attendant wisdom or skill, or impressive because of age; also, sacred or deserving of reverence45. Vintage: old or old-fashioned; also, among the best (said of a particular person or thing), or of enduring interest or worth