classic

¹clas·sic

adj \ˈkla-sik\

Definition of CLASSIC

1

a : serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value <classic literary works> b : traditional, enduring <classic designs> c : characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year <a classic suit>

2

: of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture : classical

3

a : historically memorable <a classic battle> b : noted because of special literary or historical associations <Paris is the classic refuge of expatriates>

4

a : authentic, authoritative b : typical <a classic example of chicanery> <a classic error>

5

capitalized : of or relating to the period of highest development of Mesoamerican and especially Mayan culture about a.d. 300–900

Examples of CLASSIC

1. She prefers classic furniture designs.
2. It's a classic suit that won't go out of style.
3. I like the car's classic contours.
4. The battle was a classic example of poor planning.

Origin of CLASSIC

French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus of the highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, from classis

First Known Use: circa 1604

Related to CLASSIC

Synonyms: archetypal (also archetypical), model, definitive, exemplary, imitable, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook

Antonyms: atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

Related Words: ideal, nonpareil, special, unique; absolute, flawless, impeccable, perfect; A-OK, A1, bang-up, banner, capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous (or marvellous), nifty, par excellence, prime, primo [slang], sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful; exceptional, fancy, high-grade

Near Antonyms: bad, low-grade, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory; atrocious, execrable, vile, wretched; deficient, disappointing, failed, inadequate, inferior; average, normal, ordinary, representative, typical; mediocre, second-class, second-rate

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Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody