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
Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Like the recent hit Nosferatu, Wolf Man—which is being released by Universal Pictures—is a remake of a classic horror film original.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
Hanes Bikini Underwear Pack In terms of go-to underwear styles, Hanes is a classic.
—Jessie Quinn, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for classic 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
That leads us to Brent Seabrook and his 1,114 games, a classic example of the dependable, hard-nosed blueliner archetype that will show up often on this list.
—Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Like the recent hit Nosferatu, Wolf Man—which is being released by Universal Pictures—is a remake of a classic horror film original.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
Photo : Benetti ‘Juno’s 7’ 145 Feet, Benetti Set to be delivered early this year, Juno’s 7 is a classic in the making from Italian shipyard Benetti.
—Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2025
Hanes Bikini Underwear Pack In terms of go-to underwear styles, Hanes is a classic.
—Jessie Quinn, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
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 19 Jan. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share