classic

1 of 2

adjective

clas·​sic ˈkla-sik 

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

classic

2 of 2

noun

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

Adjective

• archetypal
• archetypical
• definitive
• exemplary
• imitable
• model
• paradigmatic
• quintessential
• textbook

Noun

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

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

Adjective

From rocking lime-green gowns adorned with a tennis ball to putting a couture spin on a classic polo top, Zendaya has truly outdone herself on her Challengers press tour wardrobe, thanks to her stylist Law Roach. —Alex Kessler, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024

Colors range from classic shades like white and beige to bolder hues like fuchsia and a vibrant purple. —Amanda McDonald, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2024

The flavors are classic Booker’s, with notes of brown sugar, grain, caramel, molasses, vanilla, and black pepper on the palate. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024

Chick-fil-A’s banana pudding has all the classic ingredients: creamy pudding, vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024

This might sound like a classic midlife-crisis move. —Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2024

The actress kept it classic in a blue and white button-down shirt and navy blue button-down skirt. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024

The revamp instilled modern finishes while maintaining its effortless and classic Caribbean aesthetic. —Jasmine Grant, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024

Through Saturday, the Popeyes chain is selling its chicken sandwiches (classic, spicy, blackened, or spicy blackened) for $4.20 each. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 20 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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus of the highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, from classis — see class entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing classic

• classic case
• destined to become a classic

Kids 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 noun

1

: 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

Medical Definition

classic

adjective

clas·​sic ˈklas-ik 

variants or classical

-i-kəl 

: 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