1
a
: serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value
classic literary works
a classic case study on hysteria
b
: traditional, enduring
classic designs
c
: characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year
a classic suit
2
: of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture : classical
3
a
: historically memorable
a classic battle
b
: noted because of special literary or historical associations
Paris is the classic refuge of expatriates
4
a
: authentic, authoritative
a classic study of eyewitness accounts
b
: typical
a classic example of chicanery
a classic error
5
capitalized
: of or relating to the period of highest development of Mesoamerican and especially Mayan culture about a.d. 300–900
1
: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
studied the classics in college
2
a
: a work of enduring excellence
His manual of biology has become a classic among scientists.
also
: its author
He had already become a classic many years before his death.
b
: an authoritative source
3
: a typical or perfect example
His march through the wilderness of Maine has been regarded as a classic of perseverance.
4
: a traditional event
a football classic
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Adjective
She prefers classic furniture designs.
It's a classic suit that won't go out of style.
I like the car's classic contours.
The battle was a classic example of poor planning.
Noun
That car is a classic.
I like to read the classics.
He teaches classics at the local university.
She studied classics in college.
an interest in the classics
The football game is a Thanksgiving classic.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Jasmine Washington, seventeen.com, 8 June 2023
With its creamy white flowers and spiked foliage, not to mention the classic tropical scent, this dreamy lily is a treat for the eyes and nose.
—Molly Miller, housebeautiful.com, 8 June 2023
And Pence is going to campaign as a classic conservative.
—Jill Colvin And Thomas Beaumont, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2023
Where formal gardens call for straight lines, cohesion, classic accents, and simplicity, whimsical gardens throw those strict guidelines out the window.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2023
Of all the classic summer berries — straw, blue, goose, rasp — blackberries ripen latest.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 June 2023
Music executive Andrew Lauder’s tale is a classic one: young and naïve country boy who came to the big city, fell into a random, entry-level but opportune position at the publishing company Southern Music, and went on to make his mark in the industry for half a century.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 June 2023
Trump, who attended the royal wedding with her husband, Jared Kushner, wore a floor-length light blue long-sleeve gown, while William, who attended alongside his wife, Kate Middleton, donned a classic tuxedo.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 4 June 2023
But that does ignore pesky complications, a classic one being the mule: an animal that everyone can agree is alive but that typically cannot make more of itself, with or without genetic variations.
—Scientific American, 1 June 2023
Terri Robertson, Country Living, 8 June 2023
The color palette ranges from neutral tones to bold pops of color, offering options for those seeking timeless classics or statement pieces.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 8 June 2023
Some are hilarious classics and beloved rom-coms, while others are straight-up terrifying thrillers or mind-twisting dramas.
—Camila Quimper, countryliving.com, 7 June 2023
Concours d’Elegance This is your chance to view 250 classic, vintage and exotic automobiles and motorcycles in one scenic location.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 7 June 2023
All that mattered in Philly on Saturday, though, was that the men took the stage with Hill at the end of her set to perform a six-song run of classics after Hill celebrated the 25th anniversary of her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 June 2023
Watch Now 2 Carol (2015) CAROL - Official Trailer - Starring Cate Blanchett And Rooney Mara Watch on This period piece has become a classic for a reason.
—Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 5 June 2023
The film went on to become an admired cult classic, as Newman recalled in a 2019 interview with Paul Rowlands.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 June 2023
When all is said and done, Lapine will have directed three Sondheim classics over five months and a trio of time zones.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 5 June 2023
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Adjective
Along with inspiring the viral mermaidcore fashion trend, The Little Mermaid has two classic iterations to choose from that tell an inspiring story about finding your place in the world.
—Jasmine Washington, seventeen.com, 8 June 2023
With its creamy white flowers and spiked foliage, not to mention the classic tropical scent, this dreamy lily is a treat for the eyes and nose.
—Molly Miller, housebeautiful.com, 8 June 2023
And Pence is going to campaign as a classic conservative.
—Jill Colvin And Thomas Beaumont, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2023
Where formal gardens call for straight lines, cohesion, classic accents, and simplicity, whimsical gardens throw those strict guidelines out the window.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2023
Of all the classic summer berries — straw, blue, goose, rasp — blackberries ripen latest.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 June 2023
Music executive Andrew Lauder’s tale is a classic one: young and naïve country boy who came to the big city, fell into a random, entry-level but opportune position at the publishing company Southern Music, and went on to make his mark in the industry for half a century.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 June 2023
Trump, who attended the royal wedding with her husband, Jared Kushner, wore a floor-length light blue long-sleeve gown, while William, who attended alongside his wife, Kate Middleton, donned a classic tuxedo.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 4 June 2023
But that does ignore pesky complications, a classic one being the mule: an animal that everyone can agree is alive but that typically cannot make more of itself, with or without genetic variations.
—Scientific American, 1 June 2023
Noun
Fans of the 1993 cult classic Hocus Pocus had to wait nearly 30 years for Disney to re-conjure the wicked siblings, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, for a 21st-century sequel.
—Terri Robertson, Country Living, 8 June 2023
The color palette ranges from neutral tones to bold pops of color, offering options for those seeking timeless classics or statement pieces.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 8 June 2023
Some are hilarious classics and beloved rom-coms, while others are straight-up terrifying thrillers or mind-twisting dramas.
—Camila Quimper, countryliving.com, 7 June 2023
Concours d’Elegance This is your chance to view 250 classic, vintage and exotic automobiles and motorcycles in one scenic location.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 7 June 2023
All that mattered in Philly on Saturday, though, was that the men took the stage with Hill at the end of her set to perform a six-song run of classics after Hill celebrated the 25th anniversary of her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 June 2023
Watch Now 2 Carol (2015) CAROL - Official Trailer - Starring Cate Blanchett And Rooney Mara Watch on This period piece has become a classic for a reason.
—Lydia Wang, Women's Health, 5 June 2023
The film went on to become an admired cult classic, as Newman recalled in a 2019 interview with Paul Rowlands.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 5 June 2023
When all is said and done, Lapine will have directed three Sondheim classics over five months and a trio of time zones.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 5 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus of the highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, from classis — see class entry 1
Phrases Containing classic
Dictionary Entries Near classic
Cite this Entry
“Classic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classic. Accessed 20 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
classic
1 of 2 adjective
clas·sic
ˈklas-ik 
1
a
: serving as a standard of excellence
a classic literature
b
: fashionable year after year : traditional, enduring
a classic design
2
: of or relating to the ancient Greeks or Romans or their culture
3
a
: notable as the best of its kind
a classic film
b
: notable as the most basic or typical of its kind
a classic example
classic
2 of 2 noun1
: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
2
: a great work of art
also
: its author
3
: something regarded as perfect of its kind
4
: an event that has become a tradition
a football classic
More from Merriam-Webster on classic
Nglish: Translation of classic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of classic for Arabic Speakers
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