Classic Meaning
/ˈklæsɪk/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
adjExemplary of a particular style; defining a class or category; typical; archetypical; epitomic.
Sentence Examples
Milton is one of the classic writers.
I will get that classic car at all costs.
The film is now a cult classic.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The novel "Moby Dick" is considered a ____ work of American literature.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This novel is widely considered a ____ of 19th-century English literature.
Word Origin & History
From French classique, from Latin classic(us) (“relating to the classes of Roman citizenry, especially the highest”), from classis. By surface analysis, class + -ic. Piecewise doublet of classy.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…]"
— 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond:
"Give, as thy last memorial to the age, / One classic drama, and reform the stage."
— 1809, Lord Byron, English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers:
"The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 249:
"Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration."
— 2013 January 1, Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore, “Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 1, pages 47–48:
"JAMES CARTER: The man's destroying a classic!"
— 2001, Jeff Nathanson, Rush Hour 2, New Line Cinema:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The novel "Moby Dick" is considered a ____ work of American literature.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This novel is widely considered a ____ of 19th-century English literature.