classic

[ klas-ik ]

adjective

1. of the first or highest quality, class, or rank:

   a classic piece of work.

2. serving as a standard, model, or guide:

   the classic method of teaching arithmetic.

3. of or relating to Greek and Roman antiquity, especially with reference to literature and art.
4. modeled upon or imitating the style or thought of ancient Greece and Rome:

   The 17th and 18th centuries were obsessed with classic ideals.

5. of or adhering to an established set of artistic or scientific standards or methods:

   a classic example of mid-Victorian architecture.

6. basic; fundamental:

   the classic rules of warfare.

7. of enduring interest, quality, or style:

   a classic design; classic clothes.

8. of literary or historical renown:

   the classic haunts of famous writers.

9. traditional or typical:

   a classic comedy routine.

10. definitive:

    the classic reference work on ornithology.

11. of or relating to automobiles distinguished by elegant styling, outstanding engineering, and fine workmanship that were built between about 1925 and 1948.

noun

1. an author or a literary work of the first rank, especially one of demonstrably enduring quality.
2. an author or literary work of ancient Greece or Rome.
3. (the) classics, the literature and languages of ancient Greece and Rome.
4. an artist or artistic production considered a standard.
5. a work that is honored as definitive in its field:

   His handbook on mushrooms is a classic.

6. something noteworthy of its kind and worth remembering:

   His reply was a classic.

7. an article, as of clothing, unchanging in style:

   Her suit was a simple classic.

8. a typical or traditional event, especially one that is considered to be highly prestigious or the most important of its kind:

   The World Series is the fall classic of baseball.

9. Archaic. a classicist.

classic

/ ˈklæsɪk /

adjective

1. of the highest class, esp in art or literature
2. serving as a standard or model of its kind; definitive
3. adhering to an established set of rules or principles in the arts or sciences

   a classic proof

4. characterized by simplicity, balance, regularity, and purity of form; classical
5. of lasting interest or significance
6. continuously in fashion because of its simple and basic style

   a classic day dress

noun

1. an author, artist, or work of art of the highest excellence
2. a creation or work considered as definitive
3. horse racing
   1. any of the five principal races for three-year-old horses in Britain, namely the One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, Oaks, and Saint Leger
   2. a race equivalent to any of these in other countries

classic

1. A descriptive term for a period in Western music, encompassing roughly the last half of the eighteenth century, that includes the works of Franz Josef Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the early works of Ludwig van Beethoven , among other composers.

Other Words From

• non·classic adjective
• pre·classic adjective
• quasi-classic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of classic¹

First recorded in 1605–15; (from French classique ), from Latin classicus “belonging to a class, belonging to the first or highest class,” equivalent to class(is) “class” + -icus adjective suffix; class, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of classic¹

C17: from Latin classicus of the first rank, from classis division, rank, class

Example Sentences

Prominent experts such as historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat say that under classic authoritarianism, the military is viewed as a tool for pursuing the leader’s own aims, rather than upholding the state’s interests and safeguarding its people.

From Los Angeles Times

Although much of Yoakam’s most celebrated work has centered on classic country themes such as hardship, heartache, loneliness and drifting, “Brighter Days” demonstrates considerable joy.

From Los Angeles Times

Baltimore has a ton of weapons, but this isn’t one of those classic Ravens defenses.

From Los Angeles Times

Light-welterweight champion Taylor edged her rival to win by split decision in an all-time classic in 2022.

From BBC

Meanwhile, Lidl - like John Lewis - has gone for a classic tale designed to tug at the heartstrings.

From BBC

Related Words

• simple
• typical
• usual