classical

adjective

clas·​si·​cal ˈkla-si-kəl 

1

: standard, classic

2

a

: of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and especially to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals

classical civilization

b

: versed in the classics

a classical scholar

3

a

: of or relating to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized by an emphasis on balance, clarity, and moderation

b

: of, relating to, or being music in the educated European tradition that includes such forms as art song, chamber music, opera, and symphony as distinguished from folk or popular music or jazz

4

a

: authoritative, traditional

b(1)

: of or relating to a form or system considered of first significance in earlier times

classical Mendelian genetics

(2)

: not involving relativity, wave mechanics, or quantum theory

classical physics

c

: conforming to a pattern of usage sanctioned by a body of literature rather than by everyday speech

5

: concerned with or giving instruction in the humanities, the fine arts, and the broad aspects of science

a classical curriculum

Synonyms

• traditional
• customary
• conventional

Examples of classical in a Sentence

the classical preparation of a ham for Easter

a writer celebrated for his classical profiles of eminent Victorians

Recent Examples on the Web

Blending ancient Vedic verses and Indian classical traditions with vibrant instrumentation and choral arrangements, Soul Ecstasy is part of Tandon’s mission of spreading joy through both economic and emotional empowerment. —Billboard Staff, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025

By filtering out vibrations and electromagnetic interference, Ironstone Opal maintained accuracy without the recalibration classical systems require. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

Thus, the core trio of actors pulls double duty (in Lopez's case, triple) as the stars of a classical musical confection and a harrowing prison drama. —Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025

What Zagajewski had in mind, perhaps, is the encomium, praise as a classical enterprise—the verb alone intimates the mode of speech at the heart of the ancient quarrel between poetry and philosophy itself, tracing back to Plato and before. —Elaine L. Wang september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin classicus

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing classical

• anti-classical
• classical conditioning
• classical-liberal
• classical liberalism
• classical mechanics

Rhymes for classical

• neoclassical
• semiclassical
• nonclassical

Kids Definition

classical

adjective

clas·​si·​cal ˈklas-i-kəl 

1

: classic entry 1 sense 1a

2

: of or relating to the classics of literature or art

especially : of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman classics

classical studies

3

: of or relating to serious music in the European tradition

4

: authoritative, traditional

5

: concerned with a general study of the arts and sciences and not specializing in technical studies

a classical high school