# classic

Pronunciation: US say "KLAS-ik" /ˈklæs.ɪk/; UK

## Adjective

1. Serving as a defining or typical example of a particular style or category.
   - Simple: Being a clear, typical example of a certain kind of thing.
   - _The painting is a classic instance of the artist's early period._
   - _Her opening move was a classic example of an aggressive chess strategy._
3. Following the traditional or original form of something rather than a newer variation.
   - Simple: Following the traditional or original form, rather than a newer version.
   - _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._
4. 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.
   - Simple: Very good and still admired long after it was made, like a famous book, film, or style.
   - _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._
5. Characteristic of or belonging to the past; old, retro, or vintage in style.
   - Simple: From an earlier time or having the style of an earlier time.
   - _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._
8. 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.
   - Simple: Relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans and their best writers.

## Noun

2. A work of art, such as a film or song, that has lasting worth and enduring excellence.
   - Simple: A work of art, such as a book, film, or song, admired for its quality over a long time.
   - _Critics agree the novel is a classic, still reprinted a century later._
   - _The band recorded one undeniable classic before they broke up._
6. A thing, such as a car, game, or design, that is a perfect or early example of a particular style.
   - Simple: A perfect or early example of a certain style.
   - _The cathedral stands as a classic of high Gothic architecture._
   - _Engineers still study the bridge as a classic of suspension design._
7. A major, long-established sporting event with a strong tradition.
   - Simple: A big, important sports event that has been held for many years.
   - _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._
9. Any of the five long-standing British Group 1 horse races run during the traditional flat racing season.
   - Simple: Any one of five famous British horse races held each 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._
10. The author of a work of enduring excellence; a writer of lasting worth.
   - Simple: A writer whose work has lasting worth and is loved for a very long time.
   - _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._

## Noun

11. A scholar learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Rome; a student of classical writing. *(dated)*
   - Simple: A person who has studied the writings of ancient Greece and Rome.

## 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.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/classic (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).