Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

old school

ADJECTIVE
traditional
Synonyms
WEAK
acceptable accustomed classic classical conservative conventional customary habitual long-established old old line popular regular rooted time-honored
NOUN
earliest way of doing things
Synonyms
WEAK
backward-looking conforming conservative earlier generation leftovers old line old-fashioned past traditional unprogressive
old-school
ADJECTIVE
traditional
Synonyms
WEAK
acceptable accustomed backward-looking classic classical conforming conservative conventional customary habitual long-established old guard old-fashioned old-line popular regular rooted time-honored traditional unprogressive
NOUN
supporters of established custom or of conservatism
Synonyms
WEAK
conservative earlier generation old guard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Is time for a more old school, and spontaneous, connection?

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

I have been married over 40 years, and we are old school.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Macofsky adds, “It feels very old school the way women have to go through things.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

"There's another wave of country artists that are coming that is really into doing it the old school way and showing emotion," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“You seem like a hard worker. At my old school, I was the one who always ended up doing all the work.”

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine