1
a
: serving as a standard of excellence : of recognized value
classic literary works
a classic case study on hysteria
b
: traditional, enduring
classic designs
c
: characterized by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year
a classic suit
2
: of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans or their culture : classical
3
a
: historically memorable
a classic battle
b
: noted because of special literary or historical associations
Paris is the classic refuge of expatriates
4
a
: authentic, authoritative
a classic study of eyewitness accounts
b
: typical
a classic example of chicanery
a classic error
5
capitalized
: of or relating to the period of highest development of Mesoamerican and especially Mayan culture about a.d. 300–900
1
: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
studied the classics in college
2
a
: a work of enduring excellence
His manual of biology has become a classic among scientists.
also
: its author
He had already become a classic many years before his death.
b
: an authoritative source
3
: a typical or perfect example
His march through the wilderness of Maine has been regarded as a classic of perseverance.
4
: a traditional event
a football classic
Synonyms
Examples of classic in a Sentence
Adjective
She prefers classic furniture designs.
It's a classic suit that won't go out of style.
I like the car's classic contours.
The battle was a classic example of poor planning.
Noun
That car is a classic.
I like to read the classics.
He teaches classics at the local university.
She studied classics in college.
an interest in the classics
The football game is a Thanksgiving classic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Director Naoyuki Itô obviously relishes classic world-building elements and oversees some rather astonishing visual set pieces.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Bey then turned the tide with her own spin on the Baywatch classic — sporting that red-hot, high-cut bathing suit with rescue can and whistle.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for classic 
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Adjective
Disney chefs sprinkled candy cane bits and pumped peppermint into the park’s classic hot chocolate.
—Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Director Naoyuki Itô obviously relishes classic world-building elements and oversees some rather astonishing visual set pieces.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
Gin and Tonic With election night in full swing, this gin and tonic brings a warm, earthy twist to a classic.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Bey then turned the tide with her own spin on the Baywatch classic — sporting that red-hot, high-cut bathing suit with rescue can and whistle.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for classic
Dictionary Entries Near classic
Cite this Entry
“Classic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
classic
1 of 2 adjective
clas·sic
ˈklas-ik 
1
a
: serving as a standard of excellence
a classic literature
b
: fashionable year after year : traditional, enduring
a classic design
2
: of or relating to the ancient Greeks or Romans or their culture
3
a
: notable as the best of its kind
a classic film
b
: notable as the most basic or typical of its kind
a classic example
classic
2 of 2 noun1
: a literary work of ancient Greece or Rome
2
: a great work of art
also
: its author
3
: something regarded as perfect of its kind
4
: an event that has become a tradition
a football classic
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