# classical

/ˈkɫæsɪkəɫ/ (US) · /klˈæsɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/classical
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. music

adjective · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

- She listens to classical music while she studies to help her focus.
- The conservatory offers a rigorous curriculum focused on classical composition, requiring students to master both theory and performance.

### 2. ancient history

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- The museum has a large collection of classical statues from ancient Rome.
- The university's department of classical studies explores the profound influence of Athenian democracy on modern political thought.

### 3. traditional or standard

adjective · CEFR B2

following traditional or long-established styles or ideas.

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

- The building was designed in a classical style with tall white columns.
- The economist argued that classical theories of supply and demand still provide the most reliable framework for understanding market fluctuations.

### 4. physics

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

relating to physics before the discovery of atoms and relativity.

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

- In high school, students usually start by learning classical physics.
- While classical mechanics accurately describes the motion of everyday objects, it fails to explain the behavior of particles at the subatomic level.

### 5. music genre

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short way of saying 'classical music'.

For teachers: an elliptical reference to classical music as a genre.

- I don't like rock very much; I prefer listening to classical.
- The radio station switched its format from contemporary hits to classical, attracting a much older demographic of listeners.

## Examples

- She enjoys listening to classical music while she studies.
- The museum features a stunning collection of classical sculptures from the Roman Empire.
- While the composer experimented with modern electronic sounds, his work remained deeply rooted in classical structures and traditional harmonic progressions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.