neoclassical
Americanadjective
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Sometimes Neoclassical of, relating to, or designating any of various movements of the late 1600s to the mid 1800s in architecture, the arts, literature, etc. that attempted to revive classical Greek or Roman aesthetics or philosophy.
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of, relating to, or designating any architecture, art, literature, or music that draws influence from ancient Greek or Roman art and design.
adjective
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of, relating to, or in the style of neoclassicism in art, architecture, etc
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of, relating to, or in the style of neoclassicism in music
Etymology
Origin of neoclassical
First recorded in 1875–80; neo- ( def. ) + classical ( def. )
Explanation
Use the adjective neoclassical to describe art or architecture that resurrects the characteristic styles of ancient Greece and Rome. Wear a toga to a party and people might compliment your neoclassical outfit! Many people think of architecture when they see the word neoclassical — specifically, the style of most European buildings constructed over the last 200 years. The 18th-century fashion favoring the symmetry, columns, rectangular windows, and marble facades of the classical era has never really gone out of style. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, this kind of neoclassical revival also occurred in art, fashion, literature, and theater.
Vocabulary lists containing neoclassical
The Enlightenment
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Chapters 22–23
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Death on the River of Doubt
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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.
The new rich zip past crumbling neoclassical townhouses on Havana's famous seaside Malecon boulevard in SUVs.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
At press briefings he grows increasingly somnolent when asked to address any topic that isn’t the supersized neoclassical ballroom currently under construction atop the rubble of the White House East Wing.
From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2026
It includes folk of the British and Appalachian varieties, jazzy interludes, and neoclassical orchestrations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
The philosophical bent of Palantir came from Karp, who holds a Ph.D. in neoclassical social theory from Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 4, 2026
They chose a uniform style, neoclassical, meaning the buildings would have columns and pediments and evoke the glories of ancient Rome.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
