old soul

American  

[ohld sohl] / ˈoʊld ˈsoʊl /

noun

1. a person, especially a child or young person, who demonstrates a maturity, understanding, or seriousness that is typical of someone much older.

   Our daughter was always so thoughtful and solemn, even as a baby—everyone says she’s an old soul.

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Etymology

Origin of old soul

First recorded in 1750–60; in reference to an old person

Example Sentences

“I feel like being an old soul gives people a sense of how things used to be back in the day,” he says of the intergenerational bridge between his work and personal interests.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think that just means I have an old soul, and I like everything,” Neilson said.

From The Wall Street Journal

His family called him “an old soul” because of how often he acted older than his age.

From Los Angeles Times

Reinhart related to Harper because as a kid, she was an “old soul” who had “a melancholy air” and found it difficult to fit socially.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the digital luster of mid-’90s rap and R&B, the craftsmanship of his 1995 debut, “Brown Sugar,” marked him as an old soul — indeed as one of the handsome faces of what became known as neo-soul: a marriage of ’70s-style themes and song structures with the attitude and rhythmic swagger of hip-hop.

From Los Angeles Times