Synonyms of old-school

old-school

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˌskül 

1

as in vintage

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time

an old-school romantic comedy in which the two leads don't jump into bed at the first opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vintage
• retro
• antique
• traditional
• antiquated
• old-time
• historical
• historic
• old-fashioned
• old-world
• old-timey
• quaint
• former
• ancient
• retrograde
• past
• obsolete
• aged
• olden
• oldfangled
• outmoded
• late
• stodgy
• outdated
• out-of-date
• fusty
• atavistic
• hoary
• bygone
• antediluvian
• venerable
• age-old
• superannuated
• dated
• erstwhile
• forgotten
• outworn
• old hat
• moldy
• passé
• fossilized
• musty
• anachronistic
• timeless
• rinky-dink
• ageless
• remote
• anachronous
• moth-eaten
• dateless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• contemporary
• current
• new
• newfangled
• modernist
• present-day
• modernistic
• ultramodern
• hot
• state-of-the-art
• up-to-date
• fresh
• new age
• red-hot
• fashionable
• mod
• stylish
• chic
• designer
• smart
• new-fashioned
• modernized
• space-age
• latest
• updated
• last
• nontraditional
• high-tech
• futuristic
• recent
• renewed
• latter-day
• refurbished
• remodeled

2

as in traditional

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions

an old-school gentleman who opened doors and pulled out chairs for women

Synonyms & Similar Words

• traditional
• conservative
• orthodox
• old-fashioned
• conventional
• loyal
• old-line
• reactionary
• staunch
• faithful
• traditionalistic
• die-hard
• ultraconservative
• hidebound
• unprogressive
• steadfast
• archconservative
• devoted
• true
• standpat
• paleoconservative
• button-down
• true-blue
• mossbacked
• stodgy
• square
• brassbound
• steady
• neoconservative
• right-wing
• Tory
• ossified
• ultrarightist
• ultraright
• dowdy
• antimodern
• fuddy-duddy
• right
• fogyish
• blimpish
• set
• antirevolutionary
• antiliberal
• antiprogressive
• antireform

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nontraditional
• progressive
• liberal
• unconventional
• unorthodox
• nonconventional
• revolutionary
• radical
• nonconservative
• modern
• extremist
• antiestablishment
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• contemporary
• nonconformist
• advanced
• nonorthodox
• large-minded
• antitraditional
• anticonventional
• lefty
• ultraleft
• ultraradical
• ultraleftist
• ultraprogressive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of old-school

The ongoing sagas of Getz and Hoyer, two executives who got their jobs the old-school Chicago way — with no bothersome hiring searches conducted by their bosses — are ones that continue to fascinate me. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026

Built in 1836—predating Newport’s famous Gilded Age mansions—this 4,000-square-foot residence epitomizes old-school Americana. — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026

In that case, the refreshingly old-school Prime Video teen drama Sterling Point might really hit the spot for Gen Z and their nostalgic elders. — Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

In a way, Warsh is a throwback to old-school central bankers who prized their absolute discretion in decision-making and rarely said or did anything that might compromise it. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026