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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.

“If you want old school software that actually doesn’t work, and probably will disappear, there are a lot of names.”

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Jones regularly returns to her old school, doing coaching sessions, presenting awards and inspiring the next generation.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

For dinner, I went old school at À La Renaissance, a century-old, recently revived bistro with chunky terrazzo floors and burgundy banquettes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

I miss my old school and my friends there.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks