/ ˈklæsɪk; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective [ usually before noun ]
1.
accepted or deserving to be accepted as one of the best or most important of its kind :
a classic novel / study / goal
2.
(also clas·sic·al ) with all the features you would expect to find; very typical :
a classic example of poor communication
She displayed the classic symptoms of depression.
I made the classic mistake of clapping in a pause in the music!
3.
elegant, but simple and traditional in style or design; not affected by changes in fashion :
a classic grey suit
classic design
classic cars (= cars which are no longer made, but which are still popular)
4.
( informal ) people say That's classic! when they find sth very amusing, when they think sb has been very stupid or when sth annoying, but not surprising, happens :
She's not going to help? Oh, that's classic!
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a book, film / movie or song which is well known and considered to be of very high quality, setting standards for other books, etc. :
English classics such as 'Alice in Wonderland'
The novel may become a modern classic.
2.
[ C ] a thing that is an excellent example of its kind :
That match was a classic.
3.
Classics [ U ] the study of ancient Greek and Roman culture, especially their languages and literature :
a degree in Classics
••
SYNONYMS
classic / classical
These adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:
| classic ~ | classical ~ |
| example | music |
| case | ballet |
| novel | architecture |
| work | scholar |
| car | period |
Classic describes something that is accepted as being of very high quality and one of the best of its kind:
a classic movie / work
. It is also used to describe a typical example of something:
a classic example / mistake
, or something elegant but simple and traditional:
classic design
.
Classical describes a form of traditional Western music and other things that are traditional in style:
a classical composer
•
a classical theory
. It is also used to talk about things that are connected with the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome:
a classical scholar
•
classical mythology.
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from French classique or Latin classicus belonging to a class or division, later of the highest class, from classis a division of the Roman people, a grade, or a class of pupils.