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
Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Their classic Chevys, Oldsmobiles and Fords shined.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
The meal features a 16- to 18-pound roast turkey and eight sides including classics like homemade Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy, and Sweet Potatoes topped with Marshmallows & Maple Syrup, For $30, an Apple or Pumpkin Pie can be added.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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
Burger King is offering their classic Whopper sandwich for just $1 starting today.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Their classic Chevys, Oldsmobiles and Fords shined.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Pressman Film, the indie producer founded by the late Edward Pressman and behind classics from Wall Street to American Psycho, has broken new ground in film financing with the first slate listed on popular investment platform Republic.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
The meal features a 16- to 18-pound roast turkey and eight sides including classics like homemade Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy, and Sweet Potatoes topped with Marshmallows & Maple Syrup, For $30, an Apple or Pumpkin Pie can be added.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 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 28 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share