Word
classified
Phoneticsclas·si·fied, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɫæsəˌfaɪd/
UK/klˈæsɪfˌaɪd/
Definitions
01secret information
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. official information that is secret and only certain people are allowed to see.
adj. formally designated by a government or organization as sensitive, requiring specific security clearance for access.
“The general refused to answer questions about the classified documents.”
“The whistleblower was charged with leaking classified intelligence that the government claimed would jeopardize national security if made public.”
Usage
Often used with nouns like 'information', 'documents', or 'files'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02sorted into groups
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. arranged or organized into different groups or classes.
adj. arranged into specific categories or classes based on shared characteristics.
“The library has books classified by subject so they are easy to find.”
“The biological specimens were classified according to their genetic markers rather than their physical appearance.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'by' or 'as'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03small advertisements
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. small advertisements in a newspaper or website, usually organized by what is being sold.
n. small advertisements in a periodical or digital platform, typically grouped by category such as jobs, housing, or services.
“I looked through the classifieds to see if anyone was selling a used bike.”
“Before the rise of dedicated online marketplaces, local newspapers relied heavily on the revenue generated by the classifieds section.”
Usage
Almost always used in the plural form 'classifieds'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Meanwhile in North America, fires are raging in parts of the western United States, while Canada had 591 active fires as of Monday , including 43 classified as out of control.” “Men made up more than half of cases in every generation except the oldest classified generation (Silent, born 1928-45), which included only one case, involving a woman.” Etymology
From classify + -ed.
From classified advertisement, by shortening.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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