old-school

1 of 2

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˌskül 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• vintage
• retro
• antique
• traditional
• antiquated
• historical
• old-time
• historic

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

Adjective

For all the hype about tech, the executive team is largely old-school Hollywood too, as new C-suite occupants such as NBC Universal veteran Jeff Shell, Sony marketing executive Josh Greenstein and even Netflix mainstay Cindy Holland cut their teeth on content, not computation. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025

The old-school way of learning about God and being a Christian is so outdated. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025

So, how does generative AI compare to old-school tools like textbooks and online homework helpers like Chegg and Quizlet? —Ayana Archie, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025

The hybrids’ minder, Kirsh (Timothy Olyphant), is an old-school synthetic who urges his charges to embrace their novelty. —Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1749, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for old-school

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool