- plural of classic.
classics
Britishplural noun
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a body of literature regarded as great or lasting, esp that of ancient Greece or Rome
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the ancient Greek and Latin languages
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(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.
Dolly Parton's classics like "Jolene" and "9 to 5" will live on long after her death, but will we get new music from the Queen of Country as well?
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
Her film career yielded classics like “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Then there are Silents Synced events, which tour the world and bridge the classics to modern musical acts.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026
In fact, he's looking forward to touring Thrasher, simply for the joy of playing new material, and re-arranging some of the classics.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Very much a man of his time, Copernicus was strongly influenced by the humanist movement in Italy and studied the classics associated with that movement.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
Definitions 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.
