classic
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.having all the typical qualities of a particular thing.
adj.serving as a standard or perfect example of a particular style or category.
Simple“It was a classic mistake to leave the windows open during a rainstorm.”
In context“The building is a classic example of mid-century modern architecture, featuring clean lines and large glass panels.”
Usageoften used before a noun to highlight a perfect example of a mistake or style.
PitfallI love listening to classic music. I love listening to classical music.Use 'classical' for the genre of orchestral music (Mozart, Bach). Use 'classic' for something that is a great example of its kind.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.popular or respected for a long time because of its high quality.
adj.exhibiting timeless quality and excellence that remains relevant across generations.
Simple“She wore a classic black dress that never goes out of style.”
In context“The director's debut film has become a classic piece of cinema, studied by students for its innovative use of lighting.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a book, film, or piece of music that is considered to be of very high quality.
n.a work of art, literature, or music of recognized and enduring value.
Simple“I finally decided to read 'War and Peace' because it is such a famous classic.”
In context“While many modern novels are forgotten within a year, this story has established itself as a true classic of the genre.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
adj.relating to the culture or literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
adj.pertaining to the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, particularly their literature and art.
Simple“The professor spent years studying classic literature in its original language.”
In context“The museum's collection includes several classic sculptures recovered from the ruins of ancient Mediterranean cities.”
Teacher's tipIn academic contexts, 'classic' and 'classical' are often used interchangeably when referring to the ancient world.
Synonymsgreco romanclassical
classic vs classical — Classic describes a high-quality or typical example, while classical relates to traditional styles or ancient history.
classic vs typical — Classic describes a perfect or definitive example of a style, while typical describes what is normal or expected for a specific group.
“With 007 First Light , 2026 has already given us the best James Bond game in more than three decades, since the release of Rare’s N64 classic GoldenEye 007.”
“In the summer of 2001, the film critic Roger Ebert wrote a scathing film review in song form, with lyrics set to the tune of a classic song about summer camp.”
From French classique, from Latin classic(us) (“relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest”), from classis. By surface analysis, class + -ic. Piecewise doublet of classy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.