old-school

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of old-schoolnext
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
Downstairs, the lobby restaurant Oak & Amber centers around a large hearth, and even features a prime rib trolley for tableside service—an old-school touch that adds a bit of theater to the dining room. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026 Of course, old-school squash casserole is always an option for our Easter table, too. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026 Growth without compromise Even with scaling in production volume, the recipes remain hers, inspired by the family recipes Siazon used after picking fruit and vegetables in the Midwest, using natural ingredients and old-school techniques. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 But the revival is part of a national trend toward old-school testing methods like in-class pen-and-paper exams and oral tests to prevent AI use for assignments on laptops. ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026 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 3 Apr. 2026.

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