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
: 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
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Pack this chunky cardigan at the top of your tote to put on when the plane gets chilly or to channel the main character from your favorite old-school rom-com on those cozy cabin weekends away.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the other main-level highlights is a game room decked out with old-school arcade machines, a billiards table, and French doors opening to the backyard, plus a kitchen with shaker-style cabinetry, marble countertops, a split-level eat-in island, and top-tier Miele and Thermador appliances.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025
Bacon is the not-so-secret ingredient that makes this old-school Southern vegetable sing.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old-school
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The game was its usual old-school ground-and-pound style of football, as there were only 24 pass attempts compared to 86 runs.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025
Pack this chunky cardigan at the top of your tote to put on when the plane gets chilly or to channel the main character from your favorite old-school rom-com on those cozy cabin weekends away.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the other main-level highlights is a game room decked out with old-school arcade machines, a billiards table, and French doors opening to the backyard, plus a kitchen with shaker-style cabinetry, marble countertops, a split-level eat-in island, and top-tier Miele and Thermador appliances.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025
Bacon is the not-so-secret ingredient that makes this old-school Southern vegetable sing.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old-school
Cite this Entry
“Old-school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old-school. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share