Definition of 'classic'
Word forms: plural classics
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Classic is also a noun.
3. countable noun
A classic is a book which is well-known and considered to be of a high literary standard. You can refer to such books generally as the classics.
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A classic car is a model of car that is greatly admired because of its style, and is considered to be one of the best of its kind; used especially to talk about cars which are no longer being produced.
6. uncountable noun
Classics is the study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, especially their languages, literature, and philosophy.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
classic
classic in British English
adjective
1.
2.
4.
5.
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C17: from Latin classicus of the first rank, from classis division, rank, classclassic in American English
adjective
1.
of the highest class; being a model of its kind; excellent; standard; authoritative; established
a classic example of expressionism
3.
see also romantic
noun
6.
a writer, artist, etc. or a literary or artistic work, generally recognized as excellent, authoritative, etc.
7. [pl.]
8. US
a famous traditional or typical event
the Kentucky Derby is a racing classic
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
L classicus, relating to the (highest) classes of the Roman people, hence, superior < classis, classExamples of 'classic' in a sentence
classic
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Quotations
A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read
Word lists with
classic
Equestrian events, sports and horse racesQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
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Which equestrian event am I?
a cup or trophy awarded to the winner of a sporting contest, esp a horse race
Which equestrian event am I?
a competition in showjumping that tests a horse's ability to jump a limited number of large obstacles
Which equestrian event am I?
a game similar to hockey played on horseback using long-handled mallets (polo sticks) and a wooden ball
Which equestrian event am I?
a party or institution organized for the pursuit of wild animals or game, esp for sport
Which equestrian event am I?
an annual horse race, restricted to fillies, run at Newmarket since 1814
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Trends of
classic
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In other languages
classic
British English: classic
/ˈklæsɪk/ ADJECTIVE
A classic example of something has all the features which you expect that kind of thing to have.
His first two goals were classic cases of being in the right place at the right time.
- American English: classic /ˈklæsɪk/
- Arabic: كَلاسِيكيّ
- Brazilian Portuguese: clássico
- Chinese: 经典的
- Croatian: klasičan
- Czech: typický
- Danish: klassisk
- Dutch: klassiek
- European Spanish: clásico
- Finnish: klassinen
- French: classique
- German: klassisch
- Greek: κλασικός
- Italian: classico
- Japanese: 典型的な
- Korean: 전형적인
- Norwegian: klassisk
- Polish: klasyczny
- European Portuguese: clássico
- Romanian: clasic
- Russian: классический
- Latin American Spanish: clásico
- Swedish: klassisk
- Thai: ยอดเยี่ยม
- Turkish: klasik
- Ukrainian: взірцевий
- Vietnamese: kinh điển
British English: classic
/ˈklæsɪk/ NOUN
A classic is a piece of writing, film, or piece of music of high quality that has become a standard against which similar things are judged.
...a film classic.
- American English: classic /ˈklæsɪk/
- Arabic: كَلاسِيكيّ
- Brazilian Portuguese: clássico
- Chinese: 杰作
- Croatian: klasik
- Czech: klasika
- Danish: klassiker
- Dutch: klassieker
- European Spanish: clásico
- Finnish: klassikko
- French: classique
- German: Klassik
- Greek: κλασικό
- Italian: classico
- Japanese: 一流の芸術作品
- Korean: 고전 오래된
- Norwegian: klassiker
- Polish: klasyk
- European Portuguese: clássico
- Romanian: clasic
- Russian: классика
- Latin American Spanish: clásico
- Swedish: klassiker
- Thai: งานประพันธ์หรืองานศิลปะชั้นยอด
- Turkish: klasik
- Ukrainian: класика
- Vietnamese: tác phẩm kinh điển
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classic
Related terms of
classic
Source
Definition of classic from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
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childlike or childish?
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childish
childlike
We were shocked by their selfish and behaviour.
comic or comical?
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comical
comic
There is something slightly about them.
also or too?
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anxious for or anxious that?
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anxious for
anxious that
She's the chance to compete in the Games.
arrived or reached?
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long-term goal or winning goal?
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long-term goal
winning goal
This needs to be approached in a realistic manner.
consume energy or muster the energy?
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complex plot or vegetable plot?
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murder scene or music scene?
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murder scene
music scene
Mobile signals enabled police to place them at the .
environmental damage or nerve damage?
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