neoclassical

American  

[nee-oh-klas-i-kuhl] / ˌni oʊˈklæs ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. 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.

2. of, relating to, or designating any architecture, art, literature, or music that draws influence from ancient Greek or Roman art and design.

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neoclassical British  

/ ˌniːəʊˈklæsɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or in the style of neoclassicism in art, architecture, etc

2. of, relating to, or in the style of neoclassicism in music

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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.

Example Sentences

Karp’s track record included a PhD in neoclassical social theory from Goethe University Frankfurt.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

In some other places, Mamdani stirs anguish—as within the neoclassical building on the corner of Garfield Place and Eight Avenue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

While the show is in limbo, it is unclear what will happen to Kimmel’s iconic theater in the historic former Hollywood Masonic Temple, a neoclassical 1921 building fronted by six imposing columns.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2025

Within weeks he had lined up the imposing British neoclassical colonial building housing the Geological Survey of India.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

The music of Mozart, Haydn, and the early works of Beethoven are in this style, which we call classical rather than neoclassical, because the original classical music of ancient Greece and Rome is lost.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones