classic

USKLAS-ik/ˈklæs.ɪk/

11 meanings of classic

1
very typicaladjective
Serving as a defining or typical example of a particular style or category.
The painting is a classic instance of the artist's early period.
Her opening move was a classic example of an aggressive chess strategy.
UsageOften in a classic case of or a classic example of, used for bad things as readily as good ones.
Similartypical, textbook, quintessential, archetypal, perfect
Oppositeatypical
Note
Its natural home is the phrase a classic case of, and it is as comfortable with the unwelcome as with the admirable. Examples include a classic case of narcissism, or Margery Allingham's "classic pattern of human weakness" in The China Governess (1963). In this use the word praises nothing. It says only that something fits its category so neatly that it could serve as the textbook instance.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
Margery Allingham wrote The China Governess, first published in 1963. en.wikipedia.org
The quoted phrase occurs in the novel's narration. fadedpage.com
2
lasting worknouncountable
A work of art, such as a film or song, that has lasting worth and enduring excellence.
Critics agree the novel is a classic, still reprinted a century later.
The band recorded one undeniable classic before they broke up.
UsageOften a true classic, an instant classic or a cult classic.
Similarmasterpiece, masterwork, standard, masterpiece
3
adjective
Following the traditional or original form of something rather than a newer variation.
The bakery still bakes its bread the classic way, with a long overnight rise.
Most bakeries now add chocolate chips, but she still makes the classic version with nothing but flour, butter, and sugar.
Similartraditional, original, conventional, standard
4
adjective
Describing a work, especially of literature, art, or design, that is judged among the best of its kind and is still admired long after it was made.
Her tailored coat has a classic look that suits every season.
Decades after it opened to mixed reviews, the musical is now considered a classic work of American theater.
UsageNot the same as classical (ancient Greek and Roman, or serious music): a classic film, but classical music.
5
vintageadjective
Characteristic of or belonging to the past; old, retro, or vintage in style.
The shop specializes in classic motorcycles built before 1975.
The diner has a classic 1950s look, with chrome stools, a jukebox, and red vinyl booths.
UsageMost often in classic car, also classic bikes and diners.
Similarvintage, retro, old
Oppositemodern, contemporary, modern
6
nouncountable
A thing, such as a car, game, or design, that is a perfect or early example of a particular style.
The cathedral stands as a classic of high Gothic architecture.
Engineers still study the bridge as a classic of suspension design.
Similarmodel, exemplar, paradigm
7
sports eventnouncountable
A major, long-established sporting event with a strong tradition.
The cycling classic has been run on the same roads for over a century.
Reaching the final of this classic is the highlight of any player's season.
8
ancient worldadjective
Relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans, especially their highest-ranking authors or the period of their finest literature, or to places they inhabited or made famous.
UsageClassical is the more usual word for this today: classical Greece, classical authors.
Similarclassical, ancient

Less common meanings

9
horse racenouncountable
Any of the five long-standing British Group 1 horse races run during the traditional flat racing season.
The colt is being aimed at the first classic of the season.
Winning a classic can define a Thoroughbred's whole career.
Note
Racing uses it as the title of five particular races, often capitalized: a horse wins a Classic, or is aimed at the first classic of the season. Vamplew and Kay's Encyclopedia of British Horse Racing names a Classic and the Ascot Gold Cup, a separate race, as the goals of the top horses. Unlike the general sporting sense, no race earns the name by prestige alone.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
The British Classics are five particular Group 1 races run during the traditional flat racing season. en.wikipedia.org
The encyclopedia attributed to Vamplew and Kay identifies winning a Classic or the Ascot Gold Cup as the goal of top horses. en.wiktionary.org
The Ascot Gold Cup is separate from the five British Classics. en.wikipedia.org
10
great authornouncountable
The author of a work of enduring excellence; a writer of lasting worth.
Translators often describe Pushkin as a classic of Russian literature, the writer every Russian student reads in school.
He is now regarded as a classic of American letters.
Similarmaster, great, luminary
11
Latin scholarnoundatedcountable
A scholar learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Rome; a student of classical writing.
Similarclassicist
Note
A dated name for the scholar rather than the scholarship. The same noun now usually names a great book or its author, so a modern reader meeting "a noted classic" may picture a writer to be studied instead of the person studying. In present-day prose, a phrase such as "a scholar of classical literature" avoids the confusion. Keep this sense for period settings or deliberate old-fashioned color.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
Classic has a dated sense referring to a scholar of ancient Greek and Roman literature. en.wiktionary.org

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of classic apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Latin classicus ("having to do with the classes of Roman citizens, the highest above all"), from classis, came into English by way of French classique. On the surface it is class + -ic, and it is a partial doublet of classy.