old-school

1 of 2

adjective

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
Though the area’s artist warehouses and businesses had to close, like the old-school Irish pub Maguire’s Hill 16, Kennedy said no residents were displaced by the project. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 As a columnist and podcaster for the New York Times, Klein cannot hope to have the old-school insider influence of a Walter Lippmann—the contemporary media universe, despite the enduring power of the Times, is too diffuse for that. David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025 Sit at the Bar September, coined by 86-year-old real estate agent and TikTok influencer Laurie Cooper, encourages young singles to go old-school and head to a local watering hole solo to meet people the analog way. Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025 Located on the Mississippi Blues Trail, Grenada has a historic downtown that oozes old-school Southern charm. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Old-school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old-school. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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