Classic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈkla-sik/ clas·sic

Meaning & Definition of Classic

Classic (adjective)

  1. serving as a standard of excellence, of recognized value
  2. traditional, enduring
  3. characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year

Classic (noun)

  1. a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
  2. a work of enduring excellence; also, its author
  3. an authoritative source

Classic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated

    "classic designs in furniture that never go out of style"

    similar: archetypal, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook
    related: ideal, nonpareil, special, unique, absolute, flawless, impeccable, perfect, A-OK, A1, bang-up, banner, capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, nifty, par excellence, prime, primo (slang), sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wizard (chiefly British), wonderful, exceptional, fancy, high-grade
    near: bad, low-grade, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory, atrocious, execrable, vile, wretched, deficient, disappointing, failed, inadequate, inferior, average, normal, ordinary, representative, typical, mediocre, second-class, second-rate

  2. of the very best kind

    "one of the really classic comedies in the history of movies"

    similar: A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (chiefly British), boss (slang), brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, cool (slang), corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope (slang), down (slang), dynamite, excellent, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous (slang), fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters, gilt-edged, gone (slang), grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype (slang), immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous, mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one, numero uno, out-of-sight (slang), par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat (slang), prime, primo (slang), prize, prizewinning, quality, radical (slang), righteous (slang), sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, top-of-the-line, top-shelf, topflight, topping (chiefly British), unsurpassed, wizard (chiefly British), wonderful, out of this world, too much
    related: acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, good, OK, passable, satisfactory, tolerable, better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, high-test, premium, select, special, superfine, classical, standard, traditional
    opposite: atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched
    near: bad, inferior, low-grade, substandard, unsatisfactory, mediocre, middling, second-class, second-rate

  3. serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

    "the anthropologist noted the classic facial features of the inhabitants of those islands"

    similar: characteristic, diagnostic, discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical
    related: idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general, generic, common, normal, regular, usual, especial, particular, special, specific, archetypal, model, paradigmatic
    opposite: atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

  4. being the most accurate and apparently thorough

    "the classic study of the alienation of the individual in modern urban society"

    similar: authoritative, classical, definitive, magisterial
    related: conclusive, decisive, approved, official, sanctioned, accurate, correct, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough

Classic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation

    "among women who have devoted themselves to a life of scientific inquiry, Marie Curie is one of the acknowledged classics"

    similar: beau ideal, eidolon, exemplar, idea, ideal, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, paragon, patron saint
    related: role model, embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, phantom, pink, archetype, example, mirror, paradigm, pattern, guideline, principle, rule, gauge, standard, touchstone, essence, quintessence, acme, apex, apotheosis, culmination, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

  2. something (as a work of art) that is a great achievement and often its creator's greatest achievement

    "the works of Michelangelo are regarded as classics of the sculptor's art"

    similar: chef d'oeuvre, magnum opus, masterpiece, masterwork
    related: masterstroke, pièce de résistance, showpiece, tour de force, blockbuster, megahit, smash, success, winner, gem, jewel, prize, treasure
    near: bomb, catastrophe, clunker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, loser, turkey, washout

  3. the most perfect type or example

    "his journey of discovery was a classic of arduous effort and fierce determination"

    similar: acme, apotheosis, beau ideal, byword, epitome, exemplar, ideal, perfection, quintessence
    related: archetype, model, prototype, paradigm, standard, nonpareil, paragon, abstract, avatar, embodier, embodiment, incarnation, incorporation, manifestation, personification, height, last word, meridian, ultimate, zenith, benchmark, criterion, touchstone, yardstick

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Classic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Classic:

Slang: boss, cool, dope, down, fantabulous, gone, hype, out-of-sight, phat, primo, radical, righteous
Chiefly British: bonny, topping, wizard
archetypal, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook, A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dynamite, excellent, fab, fabulous, famous, fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Classic

Words with the opposite meaning of Classic:

atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched, atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

Related Words for Classic

special, unique, absolute, flawless, impeccable, perfect, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, good, OK, passable, satisfactory, tolerable, better, high-test, premium, select, superfine, standard, traditional, idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general

Near Antonyms of Classic

bad, low-grade, substandard, unsatisfactory, deficient, disappointing, failed, inadequate, inferior, average, normal, ordinary, representative, typical, mediocre, second-class, second-rate, middling, bomb, catastrophe, clunker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, loser, turkey

Origin & Etymology of Classic

French or Latin; French classique, from Latin classicus of the highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, from classis see class:1

First known use: 1597

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Classic

Words & Phrases Containing Classic

classic case, destined to become a classic

Frequently Asked Questions about Classic

What does "Classic" mean?

"Classic" means serving as a standard of excellence, of recognized value. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: serving as a standard of excellence, of recognized value. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Classic"?

Other words for "Classic" include archetypal, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential and textbook. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Classic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Classic"?

There are 234 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Classic". Common alternatives include archetypal, definitive, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook, A-OK and A1.

What is a slang word for "Classic"?

Slang words for "Classic" include boss, cool, dope, down, fantabulous and gone.

What is the opposite of "Classic"?

Antonyms of "Classic" include atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten and terrible. Near antonyms include bad, low-grade, substandard and unsatisfactory.

How do you use "Classic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Classic" in a sentence: "classic designs in furniture that never go out of style"; "one of the really classic comedies in the history of movies"; "the anthropologist noted the classic facial features of the inhabitants of those islands".

Is "Classic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Classic" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Classic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Classic" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.