classic
classic Lexical Profile
classic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
"The film is widely regarded as a classic work of twentieth-century cinema."
Remarkably and instructively typical; serving as a standard or textbook example of something.
"The patient exhibited all the classic symptoms of seasonal allergies."
Having a simple, traditional, and elegant style that is not affected by changes in fashion.
"She wore a classic navy blazer paired with tailored trousers for the interview."
• noun
A work of art, literature, music, or film of recognized and established value that endures across generations.
"Her nineteenth-century novel is considered a literary classic and is still taught in universities today."
A garment, automobile, or other consumer item of a well-known, enduring, and traditional style or design.
"The collector spent five years restoring a 1965 automotive classic in his garage."
An academic subject comprising the study of ancient Greek and Latin literature, philosophy, history, and language (usually used in the plural form 'classics').
"He decided to major in classics at university after developing an interest in ancient Roman history."
A major, long-established, and prestigious sporting tournament or race.
"Thousands of spectators gathered at the course to watch the annual golf classic."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Classic' means judged over time to be of the highest quality or serving as a typical example (e.g., 'a classic novel' or 'a classic mistake'), whereas 'classical' refers specifically to ancient Greek or Roman culture or to formal traditional music (e.g., 'classical architecture', 'classical music').
• Rhymes for classic
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from French 'classique' or directly from Latin 'classicus', meaning 'belonging to the highest class of Roman citizens', derived from 'classis' (a socio-economic division of the Roman people).