Classical
Definition
Classical is an adjective that refers to the characteristics of ancient Greek and Roman culture, the traditional or established forms in art and music, or things regarded as timeless or refined. It is often used to describe music, literature, architecture, or ideas rooted in traditional Western aesthetics.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklæsɪkəl/
- Respelling: KLASS-ih-kuhl
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklæsɪkəl/
- Respelling: KLASS-ih-kuhl
Etymology
The word "classical" originates from the Latin "classicus," meaning "of the highest class," which came to English via the Middle French "classique." Over time, it has come to describe ancient Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture, as well as the established standards in Western music and art.
Derivatives
- Classicism (noun)
- Classicist (noun)
- Classically (adverb)
- Classicality (noun)
- Classicalize (verb)
Synonyms
- Traditional
- Conventional
- Timeless
Antonyms
- Modern
- Contemporary
- Experimental
Usage
The term "classical" is widely used in contexts related to music, literature, and art to describe works rooted in traditional forms or influenced by ancient Greek and Roman culture. For example, "She is studying classical literature," or "They performed a piece of classical music."
Related Terms
- Antiquity: The period of ancient history, particularly of Greek and Roman culture.
- Renaissance: A period of cultural revival and appreciation for classical antiquity.
- Orchestral: Pertaining to music commonly associated with classical forms.
Detailed Definitions
Adjective
- Relating to ancient Greek or Roman culture: Refers to elements, themes, or works that are inspired by or originate from the classical periods of Greece and Rome.
- Example: "She has a passion for classical architecture."
- Conforming to traditional standards in art or literature: Describes works that adhere to established artistic standards and forms.
- Example: "The museum holds a collection of classical paintings."
- Relating to or denoting classical music: Refers to Western art music of the Classical period and music adhering to structured, formal qualities.
- Example: "He is a fan of classical music composers like Beethoven and Mozart."
classical
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is a classical masterpiece.
Classical sculptures from the Greco-Roman period are displayed in the museum.
Dancers moved in harmony to the timeless rhythms of classical waltz.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 古典 (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ku˨˩˦ tjɛn˥/
- Respelling in English: gǔdiǎn
- 古典音乐 (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ku˨˩˦ tjɛn˥ in˥ ɥɛ˧˥/
- Respelling in English: gǔdiǎn yīnyuè
🇮🇳 Hindi
- शास्त्रीय (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃɑːstriːj/
- Respelling in English: shāstrīya
- शास्त्रीय संगीत (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃɑːstriːj səŋɡiːt/
- Respelling in English: shāstrīya sangeet
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Clásico (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasiko/
- Respelling in English: clásico
- Música clásica (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmusika ˈklasika/
- Respelling in English: música clásica
🇫🇷 French
- Classique (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /klasik/
- Respelling in English: classique
- Musique classique (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /myzik klasik/
- Respelling in English: musique classique
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- كلاسيكي (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /klaːsiːkiː/
- Respelling in English: klāsīkī
- موسيقى كلاسيكية (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /muːsiːqaː klaːsiːkijja/
- Respelling in English: mūsīqā klāsīkiyya
🇧🇩 Bengali
- শাস্ত্রীয় (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃastriːjo/
- Respelling in English: shāstrīyô
- শাস্ত্রীয় সঙ্গীত (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃastriːjo ʃɔŋɡit/
- Respelling in English: shāstrīyô shonggīt
🇷🇺 Russian
- Классический (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasʲɪt͡ɕskʲɪj/
- Respelling in English: klassicheskiy
- Классическая музыка (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasʲɪt͡ɕskəjə muˈzɨkə/
- Respelling in English: klassicheskaya muzyka
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Clássico (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasiku/
- Respelling in English: clássico
- Música clássica (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmuzikɐ ˈklasikɐ/
- Respelling in English: música clássica
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Klasik (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasik/
- Respelling in English: klasik
- Musik klasik (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmusik ˈklasik/
- Respelling in English: musik klasik
🇩🇪 German
- Klassisch (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasɪʃ/
- Respelling in English: klassisch
- Klassische Musik (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈklasɪʃə ˈmuːzɪk/
- Respelling in English: klassische Musik
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 古典的 (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /koːtɛnteki/
- Respelling in English: kōtenteki
- クラシック音楽 (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɯːɾaɕikku oŋɡaku/
- Respelling in English: kurashikku ongaku
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Cổ điển (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ko˧˩˧ djən˨˩/
- Respelling in English: cổ điển
- Âm nhạc cổ điển (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /am˧˥ ɲaːk˧˥ ko˧˩˧ djən˨˩/
- Respelling in English: âm nhạc cổ điển
🇰🇷 Korean
- 클래식 (referring to classical music or ancient)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʰlɛːɕikʰ/
- Respelling in English: keullaesik
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Klasik (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /klasik/
- Respelling in English: klasik
- Klasik müzik (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /klasik myzik/
- Respelling in English: klasik müzik
🇵🇰 Urdu
- کلاسیکی (referring to ancient or traditional)
- IPA Pronunciation: /klaːsiːkiː/
- Respelling in English: klāsīkī
- کلاسیکی موسیقی (referring to classical music)
- IPA Pronunciation: /klaːsiːkiː muːsiːqiː/
- Respelling in English: klāsīkī mūsīqī
