old school

Meaning

Noun

1. (idiomatic, uncountable) Preceded by the: a group of people characterized by being conservative or traditional; also, a method for accomplishing a task, a style, or a way of thinking that was employed in a former era, remembered either for its inferiority to the current method, or for its superiority over the new way.
2. (idiomatic, uncountable) A style of popular music regarded as more old-fashioned or traditional, or not following newer trends; specifically (often old skool), hip-hop or rap music of the late 1970s and 1980s (or more recent music of this style) as contrasted with newer styles of such music.

Adj

1. (idiomatic) Now often old-school: characteristic of a method for accomplishing a task, a style, or a way of thinking that was employed in a former era, remembered either for its inferiority to the current method, or for its superiority over the new way.
2. (idiomatic) Of or relating to a style of popular music regarded as more old-fashioned or traditional, or not following newer trends; specifically (often old skool), of or relating to hip-hop or rap music of the late 1970s and 1980s (or more recent music of this style) as contrasted with newer styles of such music.
3. (US, idiomatic) Chiefly in the form Old School: having conservative or traditional views on Christianity or politics.

Opposite of

new school, new-school, newskool, new skool, nu skool

Synonyms

old style

conservatism

old guard

resistance to change

conservative people

standing evil

antiquated

old manners

old-fashioned

Translations

alte Schule

altes Übel

alter Stil

démodé

vieux jeu

old school

conservatisme

Etymology

The noun is derived from old + school (“followers of a particular doctrine; particular doctrine or way of thinking”), probably a shortening of old school of thinking, old school of thought, or some similar phrase.
The adjective is derived from the attributive form of the noun.