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classical

adj. · n.
US //ˈkɫæsɪkəɫ// UK //klˈæsɪkəl// clas·si·cal
  1. 1 music (adj.)
    A2 Elementary Music

    relating to serious Western music played by orchestras or on instruments like the piano and violin.

    pertaining to the Western art music tradition, distinct from folk or popular music; technically refers to the late 18th and early 19th centuries but used broadly for orchestral works.

    Example

    She listens to classical music while she studies to help her focus.

    Example

    The conservatory offers a rigorous curriculum focused on classical composition, requiring students to master both theory and performance.
  2. 2 ancient history (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    relating to the culture, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.

    pertaining to the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, particularly their literature, art, and architecture during their peak periods.

    Example

    The museum has a large collection of classical statues from ancient Rome.

    Example

    The university's department of classical studies explores the profound influence of Athenian democracy on modern political thought.
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  1. 3 traditional or standard (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    following traditional or long-established styles or ideas.

    conforming to established principles or traditional standards within a specific discipline.

    Example

    The building was designed in a classical style with tall white columns.

    Example

    The economist argued that classical theories of supply and demand still provide the most reliable framework for understanding market fluctuations.
  2. 4 physics (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    relating to physics before the discovery of atoms and relativity.

    pertaining to physical laws and theories, such as Newtonian mechanics, that do not account for quantum or relativistic effects.

    Example

    In high school, students usually start by learning classical physics.

    Example

    While classical mechanics accurately describes the motion of everyday objects, it fails to explain the behavior of particles at the subatomic level.
    • newtonian
  3. 5 music genre (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal Music

    a short way of saying 'classical music'.

    an elliptical reference to classical music as a genre.

    Example

    I don't like rock very much; I prefer listening to classical.

    Example

    The radio station switched its format from contemporary hits to classical, attracting a much older demographic of listeners.
    • classical music
Origin

See classic § Etymology for history. By surface analysis, class + -ical or classic + -al or class + -ic + -al

Word family

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