Definition of 'classic'
Word forms: classics
1. adjective
A classic example of a thing or situation has all the features which you expect such a thing
or situation to have.
The debate in the press has been a classic example of hypocrisy.
2. adjective [ADJ n]
A classic
movie, piece of writing, or piece of music is of very high quality and has become a standard
against which similar things are judged.
...the classic children's film Huckleberry Finn.
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.
As I grow older, I like to reread the classics regularly.
4. uncountable noun
Classics is the study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, especially their languages,
literature, and philosophy.
...a Classics degree.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
classic
Word Frequency
classic 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, UNRESOLVED CROSS REFWord Frequency
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, 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
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which equestrian event am I?
an extra round in a showjumping contest when two or more horses are equal first, the fastest round deciding the winner
Which equestrian event am I?
an annual steeplechase run at Aintree, Liverpool, since 1839
Which equestrian event am I?
an organized sport, closely associated with gambling, in which riders race horses over dedicated courses, often incorporating hurdles.
Which equestrian event am I?
an annual horse race, restricted to fillies, run at Newmarket since 1814
Which equestrian event am I?
a game similar to hockey played on horseback using long-handled mallets (polo sticks) and a wooden ball
Your score:
Trends of
classic
View usage over:
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Spanish: clásico
- Swedish: klassiker
- Thai: งานประพันธ์หรืองานศิลปะชั้นยอด
- Turkish: klasik
- Ukrainian: класика
- Vietnamese: tác phẩm kinh điển
Nearby words of
classic
Related terms of
classic
Source
Definition of classic from the
Collins English Dictionary
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heal
heel
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