- plural of classic.
classics
Britishplural noun
-
a body of literature regarded as great or lasting, esp that of ancient Greece or Rome
-
the ancient Greek and Latin languages
-
(functioning as singular) ancient Greek and Roman culture considered as a subject for academic study
Explanation
In awe of Zeus, Antigone, and Hercules? Spend your days debating the philosophy of Plato and Cicero? Then you are a lover of the classics — the literary works of Ancient Greece or Rome. Some people choose to major in French, math or biology. Others take classes in the classics, since they are crazy for learning about the roots of western civilization. The classics include Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, poetry, theater, epic tales, and mythology. Much like a movie that is considered classic, because it can be appreciated over time, the classics of Ancient Greece and Rome have been appreciated ever since — well, ever since the days of Ancient Greece and Rome. Notice that the word the often comes before classics.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As for the movie, I still favor familiar fall classics like “Hocus Pocus” or “Coraline.”
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
In September, the Met opened its season with a new production of Verdi's "Macbeth" and will present other classics in the coming months.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026
The director, best known for violent film classics Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, has said he is "keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out".
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Anne Carson, the Canadian poet, essayist, professor of classics and translator, has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in literature.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
I’m not sure what to say, so I stick with the classics.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
