clas·sic | \ ˈkla-sik 
\
\Definition of classic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : 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
3a : historically memorable
a classic battle
b : noted because of special literary or historical associations
Paris is the classic refuge of expatriates
4a : 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
classic
nounDefinition of classic (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
studied the classics in college
2a : 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
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Synonyms for classic
Synonyms: Adjective
- archetypal
- (also archetypical),
- definitive,
- exemplary,
- imitable,
- model,
- paradigmatic,
- quintessential,
- textbook
Synonyms: Noun
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Friday the 13th 40th Anniversary: Screening of classic horror film.
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Susan Dunne, courant.com, "Halloween attractions in Connecticut: haunted houses, ghost tours, cemetery walks, paranormal lectures," 23 Oct. 2020 While in years past the classic film has aired on ABC in the lead up to Halloween, this year the Peanuts gang will be making a technological shift.
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Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Moves to AppleTV+," 20 Oct. 2020 Disney+ is strengthening the wording of its disclaimer warning viewers of racial stereotypes in classic Disney films.
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Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, "Disney+ adds stronger, longer warning about racist stereotypes to classic films 'Dumbo,' 'Peter Pan'," 19 Oct. 2020 Movie theaters have been relying on releases of classic films and popular movies from recent decades as Hollywood studios have delayed releases of new films.
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Will Coviello, NOLA.com, "Prytania Theatre to expand to second location with 9-screen Canal Place theater," 15 Oct. 2020 Cruel Intentions is a classic 1999 film starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair.
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Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Demi Lovato Reveals The Moment She Realized She Was Queer When She Was a Teen," 12 Oct. 2020 The store boasts a variety of classic Mexican films from a bygone era when Cantiflas y La India María were household names.
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Sonia Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "Talking Menudo and Selena with a longstanding East End record shop owner," 5 Oct. 2020 Or, settle in for a family movie night and stream classic Disney films like Halloweentown, Hocus Pocus, and Haunted Mansion.
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Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, "41 Classic Disney Halloween Movies and Episodes to Watch on Disney+ Right Now," 5 Oct. 2020 The classic political films of the 21st century are far less likely to take place on Capitol Hill or the White House than in a featureless K Street office building or campaign-trail backwater.
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Washington Post, "Trump has turned disaster flicks into real life. And this one just took a dire turn.," 2 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The sequel to the 10-year-old horror classic is a psychological journey to hell and back.
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Matthew Gault, Wired, "Amnesia: Rebirth Has Evolved Beyond Jump Scares," 23 Oct. 2020 The cooks create the classic by placing four slices of cheese atop the patty, extended so that the cheese melts and then crisps upon contact with the grill.
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Leeanne Griffin, courant.com, "Shady Glen closes its Manchester Parkade location," 19 Oct. 2020 Last December, Murphy opened up about the comedy classic and its sequel, which will premiere more than 30 years after the original.
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Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, "Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America Sequel Heads To Amazon Due to COVID Uncertainty," 14 Oct. 2020 The ghoulish classic led the list of the biggest Halloween hits on YouTube, according to the YouTube trends team in 2018.
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Billboard Staff, Billboard, "What's Your Favorite Halloween Song? Vote!," 14 Oct. 2020 The easier book had two-line clues and the classic had five-line limericks.
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Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Our columnist says Danger Run is the most 2020-savvy of spooky attractions. Here's why," 13 Oct. 2020 This game will be played at 4 p.m., followed by the 2019 Liberty-Red Mountain classic.
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Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, "FOX Sports Arizona to replay some of state's greatest high school football championships," 9 Oct. 2020 For the special occasion, however, Kawajiri remixed the classic by adding some nail art of psychedelic flowers and magic mushrooms in neon and fluorescent shades.
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Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Bella Hadid Is Ringing In Her Birthday With A Magic Mushroom Manicure," 6 Oct. 2020 Forget all the world's troubles, at least for a moment, and rock out to this Earth, Wind & Fire classic.
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Aj Willingham, CNN, "5 things to know for September 21: Ginsburg, Covid-19, Trump, UN, China," 21 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'classic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for classic
classic
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of classic
(Entry 1 of 2)
—used to say that something has come to be considered one of the best of its kind
—used to say that something is an example of excellence
—used to describe something that has been popular for a long time
classic
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of classic (Entry 2 of 2)
: something that has been considered to be excellent for a long time
: the study of the literature, language, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome
: a traditional event
See the full definition for classic in the English Language Learners Dictionary
classic
adjectiveclas·sic | \ ˈkla-sik \
\Kids Definition of classic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : serving as a model of the best of its kind
It's a classic story for children.
2 : fashionable year after year
a classic style
3 : of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture
classic sculptures
4 : being typical of its kind
a classic mistake
classic
nounKids Definition of classic (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a written work or author of ancient Greece or Rome
2 : a great work of art
a classic of literature
3 : something long regarded as outstanding of its kind
a classic car
classic
adjectiveclas·sic | \ ˈklas-ik \
\variants:
or classical \ -i-kəl \
\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
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Time Traveler for classic
The first known use of classic was in 1597
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