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Meaning & use

class act

noun·Everydayinformalapproving

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UK/ˌklɑːs ˈækt/
US/ˌklæs ˈækt/

Meanings

  1. nounsingularinformalapproving

    A person or group that shows excellent manners, skill and dignity, especially under pressure.

    Grammar: Countable and usually used with an or a real: she's a real class act.

    Patterns

    • a real class act
    • be a class act

    Even after losing, the coach was a class act and congratulated every player.

    Everyone agreed the retiring teacher was a class act.

    That was a class act, handling the criticism so calmly.

  2. nouncountableinformalapproving

    A performance, product or organization of notably high quality and polish.

    Grammar: Often describes a thing or show: the band is a class act.

    Patterns

    • a class act to follow
    • a class act on stage

    The band was a class act, playing every song perfectly.

    The restaurant is a class act from the menu to the service.

    The magician was a class act who held the whole crowd.

Word forms

pluralclass acts

Common combinations

a real class act
Her reply to the insult was a real class act.
a total class act
He's a total class act, always polite to the staff.
be a class act
The club continues to be a class act off the field.
a class act on and off the field
The captain is a class act on and off the field.
remain a class act
She remained a class act throughout the interview.

Synonyms and how they differ

gentleman
Gentleman is formal and applies only to men, whereas class act works for any gender and for things.
professional
Professional stresses competence and standards, while class act adds grace and dignity.
star
Star stresses fame or talent, but a class act is admired for conduct as well.
paragon
Paragon is a stronger, more formal word for a perfect example, whereas class act is lighter and conversational.

Opposites

disgracejerk

Word family

class noun
style, quality or elegance
classy adjective
stylish and elegant
classiness noun
the quality of being stylish

Commonly confused: class act or classic?

class act vs classic

A classic is something of lasting quality or a typical example, while a class act refers to someone's behavior or performance.

Practice

The losing captain shook everyone's hand and praised the winners. Fans called him a ______.

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