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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

Fan Harry, 21, who works at a Rolling Stones clothing store also in London's Soho district, welcomed the snippets of the new material that he had heard, calling it "very old school".

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

However, one soft drinks firm in the Midwest is keeping old school tradition alive by continuing to sell its products in returnable glass bottles.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

An old school friend of his worked at a place called Oppenheimer and Co. and was making good money.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis