1
a
: serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value
classic literary works
a classic case study on hysteria
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
a classic study of eyewitness accounts
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
1
: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
studied the classics in college
2
a
: a work of enduring excellence
His manual of biology has become a classic among scientists.
also
: its author
He had already become a classic many years before his death.
b
: an authoritative source
3
: a typical or perfect example
His march through the wilderness of Maine has been regarded as a classic of perseverance.
4
: a traditional event
a football classic
Synonyms
Examples of classic in a Sentence
Adjective
She prefers classic furniture designs.
It's a classic suit that won't go out of style.
I like the car's classic contours.
The battle was a classic example of poor planning.
Noun
That car is a classic.
I like to read the classics.
He teaches classics at the local university.
She studied classics in college.
an interest in the classics
The football game is a Thanksgiving classic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maia Torres, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024
Their classic design and high-quality construction ensure durability and long-lasting performance.
—Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Related article Real Madrid earns Champions League draw against Manchester City in ‘amazing’ all-time classic encounter
Facing defeat, Raphinha’s smartly taken second goal and Andreas Christensen’s header gave Barcelona the edge going into the second leg on April 16.
—Ben Church, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
For a little under $20, this classic cut never feels outdated.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
For the Paris premiere, Stephen added extensions and went for full glamour with the ultimate red carpet style, classic Old Hollywood waves.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
This annual car show displays rare and classic Lamborghinis in the heart of Little Italy.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The blog era from the ‘10s has returned aggressively through Substack and Instagram pages dedicated to documenting classic or eccentric ensembles.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 24 of 28 Brown Sugar Pound Cake
Our Test Kitchen’s latest iteration of classic pound cake is also their best.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 06 of 50 Frozen Margarita This frozen classic is sure to cool you down on even the hottest summer day.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
The bar also hosts seasonal dinners and Sunday suppers every other month, featuring cassoulet, bouillabaisse or another French classic as the main item.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
The only silent film on this list, Steamboat Bill Jr. is a true classic starring the king of deadpan physical comedy.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Part self-effacing memoir, part how-to for writing screenplays, and a window into how the levers of power worked in Hollywood, this book is a stone-cold classic.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Another classic is the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), which is native to the Southeast.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy $10 $11
A classic for good reason, this developmental toy is ideal for two-handed grasping.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
The 2003 version was a remake of the 1976 classic starring Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris as a daughter and mother whose personalities switch bodies.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Her approach to getting dressed feels both classic yet new; refreshing but not too trendy, flamboyant yet still subtle.
—Maia Torres, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024
Their classic design and high-quality construction ensure durability and long-lasting performance.
—Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Related article Real Madrid earns Champions League draw against Manchester City in ‘amazing’ all-time classic encounter
Facing defeat, Raphinha’s smartly taken second goal and Andreas Christensen’s header gave Barcelona the edge going into the second leg on April 16.
—Ben Church, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
For a little under $20, this classic cut never feels outdated.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
For the Paris premiere, Stephen added extensions and went for full glamour with the ultimate red carpet style, classic Old Hollywood waves.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
This annual car show displays rare and classic Lamborghinis in the heart of Little Italy.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The blog era from the ‘10s has returned aggressively through Substack and Instagram pages dedicated to documenting classic or eccentric ensembles.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 24 of 28 Brown Sugar Pound Cake
Our Test Kitchen’s latest iteration of classic pound cake is also their best.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
Thirty years from now, the industry may be relying on AI to write and direct Terminator 10, and Megalopolis will be a cult classic.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 06 of 50 Frozen Margarita This frozen classic is sure to cool you down on even the hottest summer day.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
The bar also hosts seasonal dinners and Sunday suppers every other month, featuring cassoulet, bouillabaisse or another French classic as the main item.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
The only silent film on this list, Steamboat Bill Jr. is a true classic starring the king of deadpan physical comedy.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Part self-effacing memoir, part how-to for writing screenplays, and a window into how the levers of power worked in Hollywood, this book is a stone-cold classic.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Another classic is the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), which is native to the Southeast.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy $10 $11
A classic for good reason, this developmental toy is ideal for two-handed grasping.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
The 2003 version was a remake of the 1976 classic starring Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris as a daughter and mother whose personalities switch bodies.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near classic
Cite this Entry
“Classic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classic. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
classic
1 of 2 adjective
clas·sic
ˈklas-ik 
1
a
: serving as a standard of excellence
a classic literature
b
: fashionable year after year : traditional, enduring
a classic design
2
: of or relating to the ancient Greeks or Romans or their culture
3
a
: notable as the best of its kind
a classic film
b
: notable as the most basic or typical of its kind
a classic example
classic
2 of 2 noun1
: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
2
: a great work of art
also
: its author
3
: something regarded as perfect of its kind
4
: an event that has become a tradition
a football classic
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