old school

American  

noun

1. advocates or supporters of established custom or of conservatism.

   a military man of the old school.

---

old school British  

noun

1. a school formerly attended by a person

2. a group of people favouring traditional ideas or conservative practices

---

Other Word Forms

• old-school adjective

Etymology

Origin of old school

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

"There's another wave of country artists that are coming that is really into doing it the old school way and showing emotion," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Giardina’s prescription, and that of many other liberals and progressives in the region, is straightforward — and old school.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

My younger brother is like, “Hey, man, I just went in for a test, and they’re telling me I got to have an old school triple bypass,” and then that’s what we all get tested.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Though the landmark came with a flick for four over mid-wicket off Beau Webster's spin, Bethell's first ton was moulded in a style from the old school.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Celibidache was a conductor from the old school, an imperious and strong-willed man with very definite ideas about how music ought to be played—and about who ought to play music.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell