Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Classic: Definition, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：exemplary standard (classic)

classic 🔊

/ˈklæsɪk/

adj.

Something of the highest quality that serves as a standard for others.

Classic old book on shelf symbolizing timeless quality

exemplary standard 🔊

➕

/ɪɡˈzempləri ˈstændəd/

adj.

Describes something of the highest quality that serves as a model or standard for others in its category.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'classicus' (belonging to a class), evolving to mean 'first-class' or 'standard'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'classic' as 'class' - only the best things get an A+ in the class of quality.

📖 Example

If you love romance films, you have to watch classic like Titanic. 🔊 If you love romance films, you have to watch classic like Titanic.

🔗 Collocations

classic example – a typical perfect example of something

classic style – a style that is timeless and widely admired

classic film – a film considered to be of the highest quality and influential

🔄 Synonyms

timeless (adj.) – not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion

exemplary (adj.) – serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind

quintessential (adj.) – representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

🚫 Antonyms

modern (adj.) – relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past

inferior (adj.) – lower in quality or standard

untested (adj.) – not yet tried or proved by experience or use

🌱 Derivatives

classical (adj.) – relating to ancient Greek or Latin literature, art, or culture

classicism (n.) – the principles or style of classical art and literature

classicist (n.) – a person who studies classics

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'classic' originates from the Latin 'classicus', referring to the highest class of Roman citizens. In the 18th century, it was applied to literary works of enduring excellence, such as those of ancient Greece and Rome.

Meaning 2：perfect example (classic)

classic 🔊

/ˈklæsɪk/

adj.

Serving as a perfect example of a particular quality or type.

Classic example of a common mistake with umbrella

perfect example 🔊

➕

/ˈpɜːfɪkt ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/

adj.

Describes something that is very typical of a particular kind of thing or situation, often used for common mistakes or examples.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Forgetting to save your document before the computer crashes is a classic mistake we all make. 🔊 Forgetting to save your document before the computer crashes is a classic mistake we all make.

🔗 Collocations

classic mistake – a common error that is very typical in a given situation

classic sign – a very typical indicator of something

classic case – an instance that perfectly represents a particular condition or scenario

🔄 Synonyms

typical (adj.) – having the distinctive qualities of a particular type

archetypal (adj.) – very typical of a certain kind of person or thing

standard (adj.) – used or accepted as normal or average

🚫 Antonyms

unique (adj.) – being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

atypical (adj.) – not representative of a type or group

exceptional (adj.) – unusual; not typical

🌱 Derivatives

classical (adj.) – relating to ancient Greek or Latin literature, art, or culture

classicism (n.) – the principles or style of classical art and literature

classicist (n.) – a person who studies classics