A classic example of a thing or situation has all the features which you expect such a thing or situation to have.
The debate in the mainstream press has been a classic example of British hypocrisy.
His first two goals were classic cases of being in the right place at the right time.
Classic is also a noun.
It was a classic of interrogation: first the bully, then the kind one who offerssympathy. [+ of]
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A classic film, piece of writing, or piece of music is of very high quality and has become a standard against whichsimilar things are judged.
...the classic children's film Huckleberry Finn.
...a classic study of the American penal system.
Classic is also a noun.
The record won a gold award and remains one of the classics of modern popular music. [+ of]
...a film classic.
3. countable noun
A classic is a book which is well-known and considered to be of a high literary standard. You can refer to such books generally as the classics.
As I grow older, I like to reread the classics regularly.
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Classic style is simple and traditional and is not affected by changes in fashion.
Wear classic clothes which feel good and look good.
These are classic designs which will fit in well anywhere.
Synonyms: lasting, enduring, abiding, immortal More Synonyms of classic
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A classic car is a model of car that is greatly admired because of its style, and is considered to be one of the best of its kind; used especially to talk about cars which are no longer being produced.
6. uncountable noun
Classics is the study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, especially their languages, literature, and philosophy.
...a Classics degree.
More Synonyms of classic
classic in British English
(ˈklæsɪk)
adjective
1.
of the highest class, esp in art or literature
2.
serving as a standard or model of its kind; definitive
3.
adhering to an established set of rules or principles in the arts or sciences
a classic proof
4.
characterized by simplicity, balance, regularity, and purity of form; classical
5.
of lasting interest or significance
6.
continuously in fashion because of its simple and basic style
a classic day dress
noun
7.
an author, artist, or work of art of the highest excellence
8.
a creation or work considered as definitive
9. horse racing
a.
any of the five principal races for three-year-old horses in Britain, namely the One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, Oaks, and Saint Leger
b.
a race equivalent to any of these in other countries
Word origin
C17: from Latin classicus of the first rank, from classis division, rank, class
classic in American English
(ˈklæsɪk)
adjective
1.
of the highest class; being a model of its kind; excellent; standard; authoritative; established
a classic example of expressionism
2.
classical (sense 2) classical (sense 3)
3.
of or having a style that is balanced, formal, objective, restrained, regular, simple, etc.
see also romantic
4.
famous or well-known, esp. as being traditional or typical
a classic court case
5. US, Informal
continuing in fashion because of its simple style
said of an article of apparel
noun
6.
a writer, artist, etc. or a literary or artistic work, generally recognized as excellent, authoritative, etc.
7. [pl.]
a.
the works produced by the outstanding authors of ancient Greece and Rome
usually with the
b. [with sing. v.]
the field of study dealing with these works and with ancient Greek and Latin
her major is classics
8. US
a famous traditional or typical event
the Kentucky Derby is a racing classic
9. US, Informal
a suit, dress, etc. that is classic in style
10. US, Informal
an automobile of the period 1925-42
Word origin
L classicus, relating to the (highest) classes of the Roman people, hence, superior < classis, UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'classic' in a sentence
classic
The outstanding moments of the sketch comedy feel like instant classics.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Two classic tales are interwoven with hilarious results.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Yet it still appeals to the youngsters with a classic battle of good versus evil.
The Sun (2010)
We have to dig out the best of contemporary music and retain the classic works of old.
Christianity Today (2000)
The examples given of companies incorrectly defining their businesses have also become classics.
Piercy, Nigel Market-led Strategic Change (1991)
Look for classic shapes and your coat will last you for decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Northampton were a classic case last season.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Stardust is not a classic of its kind.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
How many dads actually like classic cars?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We reshape our classic works for the temper and taste of our times.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
One of his classic studies involved a population of house mice allowed to grow to overcrowded conditions.
Kowalski, Robert E The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure (1990)
It is always special to come out on top at a classic race like this.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is a classic example of how education has become a political football.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But documents out yesterday showed they will only be allowed to study classic literature and poetry in future.
The Sun (2013)
No one needs a classic car.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Other assets include an art collection, classic cars and vineyards.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is another classic problem in philosophy, and also concerns the nature of consciousness.
Evans, Peter & Deehan, Geoff The Descent of Mind - the how and why of intelligence (1990)
To see the list of all 15 classic films, go to timesonline.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I for my part read nearly all of each issue but particularly any reviews on the fine arts, classics or natural history.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Quotations
A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to readMark Twain
Every man with a bellyful of the classics is an enemy to the human raceHenry MillerTropic of Cancer
Word lists with
classic
Equestrian events, sports and horse races
In other languages
classic
British English: classic /ˈklæsɪk/ ADJECTIVE
A classic example of something has all the features which you expect that kind of thing to have.
His first two goals were classic cases of being in the right place at the right time.
American English: classic
Arabic: كَلاسِيكيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: clássico
Chinese: 经典的
Croatian: klasičan
Czech: typický
Danish: klassisk
Dutch: klassiek
European Spanish: clásico
Finnish: klassinen
French: classique
German: klassisch
Greek: κλασικός
Italian: classico
Japanese: 典型的な
Korean: 전형적인
Norwegian: klassisk
Polish: klasyczny
European Portuguese: clássico
Romanian: clasic
Russian: классический
Latin American Spanish: clásico
Swedish: klassisk
Thai: ยอดเยี่ยม
Turkish: klasik
Ukrainian: взірцевий
Vietnamese: kinh điển
British English: classic /ˈklæsɪk/ NOUN
A classic is a piece of writing, film, or piece of music of high quality that has become a standard against which similar things are judged.
...a film classic.
American English: classic
Arabic: كَلاسِيكيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: clássico
Chinese: 杰作
Croatian: klasik
Czech: klasika
Danish: klassiker
Dutch: klassieker
European Spanish: clásico
Finnish: klassikko
French: classique
German: Klassik
Greek: κλασικό
Italian: classico
Japanese: 一流の芸術作品
Korean: 고전 오래된
Norwegian: klassiker
Polish: klasyk
European Portuguese: clássico
Romanian: clasic
Russian: классика
Latin American Spanish: clásico
Swedish: klassiker
Thai: งานประพันธ์หรืองานศิลปะชั้นยอด
Turkish: klasik
Ukrainian: класика
Vietnamese: tác phẩm kinh điển
All related terms of 'classic'
classic car
a car that is more than twenty-five years old
classic blues
a type of city blues performed by a female singer accompanied by a small group
classic dish
Food that is prepared in a particular style or combination can be referred to as a dish .
classic shape
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square , curved, or fat .
cult classic
a creation or work that is regarded as definitive or excellent by a small group of people
classic episode
An episode of something such as a series on radio or television or a story in a magazine is one of the separate parts in which it is broadcast or published .
classic symptom
A symptom of an illness is something wrong with your body or mind that is a sign of the illness.
typical pastimes such as watching films and reading
standard
It was standard practice for them to advise in cases of murder.
model
regular
The regular method is to take your cutting, and insert it into the compost.
usual
She's smiling her usual, friendly smile.
ideal
She decided I was the ideal person to take over this job.
characteristic
Windmills are a characteristic feature of the landscape.
signature
definitive
archetypal
Cricket is the archetypal English game.
exemplary
an exemplary case of how issues of this sort can be resolved
quintessential
Everybody thinks of him as the quintessential New Yorker.
time-honoured
paradigmatic
dinki-di (Australian, informal)
2 (adjective)
Definition
of lasting interest or significance because of excellence
Aldous Huxley's classic work, The Perennial Philosophy
Synonyms
masterly
They gave a masterly performance.
best
finest
master
world-class
consummate
first-rate
Opposites
poor
,
modern
,
terrible
,
inferior
,
second-rate
3 (adjective)
Definition
of lasting interest or significance because of excellence
These are classic designs which will fit in well anywhere.
Synonyms
lasting
She left a lasting impression on him.
enduring
Their chance meeting was the start of an enduring friendship.
abiding
one of my abiding memories of him
immortal
Wuthering Heights – that immortal love story
undying
They declared their undying love for one another.
ageless
the ageless oceans
deathless
My love for you is deathless.
(noun)
Definition
a creation or work considered as definitive
The album is one of the classics of modern popular music.
Synonyms
standard
systems that were by later standards absurdly primitive
masterpiece
This book is a masterpiece.
prototype
He has built a prototype of a machine called the wave rotor.
the prototype aircraft
paradigm
He was the paradigm of the self-made man.
exemplar
They viewed their new building as an exemplar of taste.
masterwork
model
the Chinese model of economic reform
Quotations
A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read [Mark Twain]Every man with a bellyful of the classics is an enemy to the human race [Henry Miller – Tropic of Cancer]