- 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.
While some episodes of “The Twilight Zone” are classics, others are groaners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Alfred became a classics professor at Cardiff University, Doris a schoolteacher.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
The 29-year-old also won a string of one-day classics in the spring, including the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
The service carries Disney classics like “The Lion King” and “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as movies from its other studios such as Marvel and Lucasfilm.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
“The classics are classics for a reason, okay?” he says, reaching out his hands and holding onto my shoulders like he’s trying to school me.
From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan
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