classic

¹clas·sic

adjective \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

Other Literature Terms

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

²classic

noun

Definition of CLASSIC

1

: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome

2

a : a work of enduring excellence; also : its author

b : an authoritative source

3

: a typical or perfect example

4

: a traditional event <a football classic>

Examples of CLASSIC

1. That car is a classic.
2. I like to read the classics.
3. He teaches classics at the local university.
4. She studied classics in college.
5. an interest in the classics
6. The football game is a Thanksgiving classic.

First Known Use of CLASSIC

1711

Related to CLASSIC

Synonyms

beau ideal, ideal, eidolon, exemplar, idea, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, paragon, patron saint

Related Words

role model; embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, phantom, pink; archetype, example, mirror, paradigm, pattern; guideline, principle, rule; gauge (also gage), standard, touchstone; essence, quintessence; acme, apex, apotheosis, culmination, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

Near Antonyms

bomb, catastrophe, clunker, debacle (also débâcle), disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, loser, turkey, washout

Other Literature Terms

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

clas·sic

adjective \ˈklas-ik\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CLASSIC

: standard or recognized especially because of great frequency or consistency of occurrence <the classic triad of urethritis, conjunctivitis, and arthritis signaling Reiter's syndrome—Emergency Medicine>

Variants of CLASSIC

clas·sic or clas·si·cal \-i-kəl\