a creation of the highest excellence
"The newly restored cathedral is widely considered a classic, standing as an enduring monument to architectural brilliance."
an artist who has created classic works
"The museum curator explained that Monet is a classic in his field because he created iconic landscapes still studied by students today."
A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
"The original 1958 design is considered the classic example of mid-century modern furniture."
In plain English: A classic is something that has been around for a long time and is still considered really good or important today.
"This restaurant is a classic in our town, known for its excellent pizza since 1950."
Usage: Use "classic" as a noun to describe something that serves as a perfect or definitive example of a particular style or genre. For instance, you might call a specific movie or song a classic because it set the standard for all future works in that category.
of a well-known type; remarkably typical
"the classic struggle between good and evil"
"I woke up with all the classic symptoms of the flu"
"she made the classic mistake of choosing style over substance"
considered of the highest quality and lasting significance or worth
"a classic car"
"`War and Peace' is a classic novel"
Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
"The novel is considered a classic because it established new standards for literary excellence that later writers have tried to match but never quite surpassed."
In plain English: Classic means something that is truly great and has been liked for a long time without ever going out of style.
"That black tuxedo is a classic look for formal events."
Usage: Use "classic" as an adjective to describe something that is the very best example of its kind, often due to enduring quality or historical significance. Do not use it simply to mean "very good" unless you specifically intend to highlight that it represents a timeless standard in literature or art.
The word "classic" comes from the French classique, which was borrowed from Latin classicus. In its original Latin sense, it meant "relating to the classes of Roman citizenry," specifically referring to the highest social class.