classic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nounapproving

   Of lasting quality and value, and regarded as a standard of its kind.

   Grammar: Usually used before a noun: a classic novel, a classic film.

   Patterns

   • a classic example of something

   Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel that people still enjoy.

   He wore a classic black suit that never goes out of fashion.

   This is the classic recipe for apple pie.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Typical of a particular kind of situation, with all the usual features.

   Grammar: Used before nouns to say something is a perfect example: a classic mistake.

   Patterns

   • a classic case of something

   Losing the keys on a busy morning is a classic case of bad luck.

   Those were the classic symptoms of the flu.

   That was a classic Monday: the train was late and the printer jammed.

3. 3nouncountable

   A work, product or thing of the highest quality that stays popular over a long time.

   Grammar: Countable: a classic, many classics.

   Patterns

   • a timeless classic
   • a classic of something

   The film is a classic that families watch every winter.

   That old sports car has become a classic.

   She read the classics of Russian literature at university.

Word forms

Common combinations

classic example

The painting is a classic example of the style.

timeless classic

The song remains a timeless classic.

classic car

He restores classic cars in his garage.

modern classic

The novel is already regarded as a modern classic.

classic case

It was a classic case of too many cooks.

Synonyms and how they differ

timeless

Timeless stresses that something never goes out of date, whereas classic also implies recognized high quality.

definitive

Definitive means the best and final version of something, which is stronger than classic.

typical

Typical means showing the usual features, with no suggestion of excellence.

vintage

Vintage suggests that something is old and valued, particularly cars and wine, while classic is about enduring quality.

Opposites

Word family

classical adjective

relating to ancient Greece and Rome, or traditional European art music

classically adverb

in a traditional or typical way

classicism noun

an artistic style based on ancient Greece and Rome

classics noun

the study of ancient Greek and Latin

Commonly confused: classic or classical?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “classic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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