In the title compound, C21H19NO, there are two molecules in the asymmetric unit (Z′ = 2). There are π–π interactions between these two molecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.678 (2) Å], as well as a weak C—H...O interaction. The conformation adopted by the two molecules is such that the quinoline mean plane and the benzene ring are almost perpendicular [89.04 (5) and 76.89 (4)°]. In each molecule, the methyl group of the tolyl ring is disordered over two conformations, with occupancy ratios of 0.56 (3):0.44 (3) and 0.65 (3):0.35 (3).