Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

classified ad

American  

noun

  1. an advertisement in a newspaper, magazine, or the like generally dealing with offers of or requests for jobs, houses, apartments, used cars, and the like.


Etymology

Origin of classified ad

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He saw a classified ad in the San Diego Union-Tribune in 1987 and applied for a role as a technician.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

It’s in the newspaper that he comes across a classified ad, reading: “Wanted, Investigative Assistant, Male 75-85, Must have phone.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

The EU has led global efforts to crack down on Big Tech companies, including a series of multbillion-dollar fines for Google and charging Meta with distorting the online classified ad market.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

His first children's writing job resulted from answering a classified ad, and his horror writing break came after an editor was angry at someone else.

From Salon • Sep. 4, 2022

And when the Graphic View II arrived, procured secondhand from a classified ad, well loved and packed into its own case like an expensive violin, Mia knew this would be true.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng