ENGLISH
REFERENCE

classical

adj.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈkɫæsɪkəɫ// UK //klˈæsɪkəl// clas·si·cal General-service Informal

adj. relating to a style of music or art that is serious and has a long history. It is often used to describe music played by an orchestra rather than modern pop or rock.

adj. relating to the formal musical tradition of the West, typically distinguished from popular or folk music. Also used to describe the art, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.


SIMPLE

She enjoys listening to classical music while she studies.

CONTEXTUAL

The museum features a stunning collection of classical sculptures from the Roman Empire.

COMPLEX

While the composer experimented with modern electronic sounds, his work remained deeply rooted in classical structures and traditional harmonic progressions.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Typically placed before the noun it modifies. When referring to ancient history, it is often capitalized as 'Classical'.

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