old-school

1 of 2

adjective

1
: adhering to traditional policies or practices
an old-school coach
2
: characteristic or evocative of an earlier or original style, manner, or form
old-school music

old school

2 of 2

noun

: adherents of traditional policies and practices

Examples of old-school in a Sentence

Adjective an old-school romantic comedy in which the two leads don't jump into bed at the first opportunity an old-school gentleman who opened doors and pulled out chairs for women
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Think of things like spam filters or old-school chess-playing programs like Deep Blue. Boris Kontsevoi, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Everything can be stored inside the hefty wooden basket, which is a bit heavy, but adds a nice old-school touch to your outdoor meal. Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025 Jon Clark’s lights flash blindingly, then plunge into darkness, then send sinister tubes of red neon sliding across the set like old-school wipe transitions. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025 All the action centers on Commercial Street, lined with old-school gay bars such as the multiple bars and poolside Beach Club in the Crown & Anchor complex and drag shows at the throwback Art House. Jd Shadel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for old-school

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1749, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of old-school was in 1749

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Cite this Entry

“Old-school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old-school. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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