Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense classes, present participle classing, past tense, past participle classed
1. countable noun
A class is a group of pupils or students who are taught together.
He had to spend about six months in a class with younger students.
Reducing class sizes should be a top priority.
Synonyms: form [British], grade, study group, band More Synonyms of class
2. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A class is a course of teaching in a particular subject.
He acquired a law degree by taking classes at night.
I go to dance classes here in New York.
3. uncountable noun [inNOUN]
If you do something in class, you do it during a lesson in school.
There is lots of reading in class.
4. singular noun
The students in a school or university who finish their course in a particular year are often referred to as the class of that year.
These two members of Yale's Class of 2002 never miss a reunion. [+ of]
5. variable noun
Class refers to the division of people in a society into groups according to their social status.
...the relationship between social classes.
What it will do is create a whole new ruling class.
...the characteristics of the British class structure.
Synonyms: group, grouping, set, order More Synonyms of class
6. See also chattering classes, middle class, upper class, working class
7. countable noun
A classof things is a group of them with similar characteristics.
Harbour staff noticed that measurements given for the same class of boats often varied.
...the division of the stars into six classes of brightness. [+ of]
8. verb
If someone or something is classed as a particular thing, they are regarded as belonging to that group of things.
Since the birds inter-breed they cannot be classed as different species. [beVERB-ed + as]
I class myself as an ordinary working person. [V pron-refl + as]
I would class my garden as medium in size. [VERB noun + as]
He was not an explorer but can certainly be classed as a pioneer. [V-ed + as]
Synonyms: classify, group, rate, rank More Synonyms of class
9. uncountable noun
If you say that someone or something has class, you mean that they are elegant and sophisticated.
[informal, approval]
He's got the same style off the pitch as he has on it–sheer class.
10. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe someone or something as a class person or thing, you mean that they are very good.
[journalism, informal]
Kite is undoubtedly a class player.
Synonyms: excellent, expert, good, great More Synonyms of class
11. See also business class, first-class, second-class, third-class, top-class, world-class
12.
See a class act
13.
See in a class of one's own
More Synonyms of class
class in British English
(klɑːs)
noun
1.
a collection or division of people or things sharing a common characteristic, attribute, quality, or property
2.
a group of persons sharing a similar social position and certain economic, political, and cultural characteristics
3.
(in Marxist theory) a group of persons sharing the same relationship to the means of production
4.
a.
the pattern of divisions that exist within a society on the basis of rank, economic status, etc
b.
(as modifier)
the class struggle
class distinctions
5.
a.
a group of pupils or students who are taught and study together
b.
a meeting of a group of students for tuition
6. mainly US
a group of students who graduated in a specified year
the class of '95
7. (in combination and as modifier) British
a grade of attainment in a university honours degree
second-class honours
8.
one of several standards of accommodation in public transport
See also first class, second class, third class
9.
a. informal
excellence or elegance, esp in dress, design, or behaviour
that girl's got class
b.
(as modifier)
a class act
10.
a.
outstanding speed and stamina in a racehorse
b.
(as modifier)
the class horse in the race
11. biology
any of the taxonomic groups into which a phylum is divided and which contains one or more orders. Amphibia, Reptilia, and Mammalia are three classes of phylum Chordata
12. proper class
13. in a class of its own
verb
14.
to have or assign a place within a group, grade, or class
Derived forms
classable (ˈclassable)
adjective
classer (ˈclasser)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin classis class, rank, fleet; related to Latin calāre to summon
class in American English
(klæs, klɑːs)
noun
1.
a number of persons or things regarded as forming a group by reason of common attributes, characteristics, qualities, or traits; kind; sort
a class of objects used in daily living
2.
a group of students meeting regularly to study a subject under the guidance of a teacher
The class had arrived on time for the lecture
3.
the period during which a group of students meets for instruction
4.
a meeting of a group of students for instruction
5.
a classroom
6.
a number of pupils in a school, or of students in a college, pursuing the same studies, ranked together, or graduated in the same year
She graduated from Ohio State, class of '72
7.
a social stratum sharing basic economic, political, or cultural characteristics, and having the same social position
Artisans form a distinct class in some societies
8.
the system of dividing society; caste
9.
social rank, esp. high rank
10.
the members of a given group in society, regarded as a single entity
11.
any division of persons or things according to rank or grade
Hotels were listed by class, with the most luxurious ones listed first
12.
excellence; exceptional merit
She's a good performer, but she lacks class
13. Hinduism
any of the four social divisions, the Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Shudra, of Hindu society; varna
Compare "> caste (sense 2)
14. informal
elegance, grace, or dignity, as in dress and behavior
He may be a slob, but his brother has real class
15.
any of several grades of accommodations available on ships, airplanes, and the like
We bought tickets for first class
16. informal
the best or among the best of its kind
This new plane is the class of the wide-bodied airliners
17. Biology
the usual major subdivision of a phylum or division in the classification of organisms, usually consisting of several orders
18. Brit University
any of three groups into which candidates for honors degrees are divided according to merit on the basis of final examinations
19.
drafted or conscripted soldiers, or persons available for draft or conscription, all of whom were born in the same year
20. Grammar See form class
21. Ecclesiast
classis
22. (in early Methodism)
one of several small companies, each composed of about 12 members under a leader, into which each society or congregation was divided
23. Statistics
a group of measurements that fall within a specified interval
24. Math
a set; a collection
25. See the classes
adjective
26. informal
of high quality, integrity, status, or style
class players on a mediocre team
transitive verb
27.
to place or arrange in a class; classify
to class justice with wisdom
intransitive verb
28.
to take or have a place in a particular class
those who class as believers
29. See class up
Derived forms
classable
adjective
classer
noun
Word origin
[1590–1600; earlier classis, pl. classes ‹ L: class, division, fleet, army; sing. class back formation from pl.]
More idioms containing
class
a class act
Examples of 'class' in a sentence
class
Or that the class of degree you get affects which kind you become?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The fitness and the character of my players is top class.
The Sun (2016)
But online crime seems far less invasive and divisive because it targets all social classes and regions equally.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was different class over hurdles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Up the good class of workers!
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's a group class and there are normally a few other people in it, but not today.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They were more popular in class and often admired throughout the school.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They could join a basketball club or go to dance classes.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The internet is waiting to transform your health and fitness one online class at a time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We would finish our classes and go out to the field to become acquainted with our planes.
Sidney Sheldon The Other Side of Me
He might have learnt something in standard class.
The Sun (2012)
In a primary school a teacher has that class for the year regardless.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It meant he missed weekly pottery classes.
The Sun (2016)
There are much smaller class sizes and the end product is a much more rounded individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He was a different class in the singles.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Then we had lectures and classes and groups all day long.
The Sun (2012)
Second class for things that do not matter whether they arrive next week or next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What the new classes add is variety.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Classes are a good way of meeting other people.
French, Barbara Coping with Bulimia (1987)
How many people do we need with a first class degree?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
To keep it firm and shapely she does regular dance style exercise classes.
The Sun (2014)
The compressed courses mean classes continue through the summer holidays.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Those who pay their taxes and were promised world class hospitals and schools.
The Sun (2008)
They have some class players that are not delivering.
The Sun (2008)
The economic basis of this class is property ownership pure and simple.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
One problem is the planning system: retirement villages do not fit into a particular class of planning use.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The working class in American society comprises roughly 40 percent of the population.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Quotations
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class strugglesKarl Marx and Friedrich EngelsThe Communist Manifesto
There are but two families in the world as my grandmother used to say, the Haves and the Have-notsMiguel de CervantesDon Quixote
The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, God made them, high or lowly, And ordered their estateCecil Frances AlexanderAll Things Bright and Beautiful
In other languages
class
British English: class /klɑːs/ NOUN
pupils A class is a group of pupils or students who are taught together.
He spent six months in a class with younger students.
American English: class
Arabic: فَصْل مَدْرَسِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: classe categoria
Chinese: 年级
Croatian: razred
Czech: třída skupina
Danish: klasse
Dutch: klas
European Spanish: clase
Finnish: luokka
French: classe
German: Klasse
Greek: τάξη
Italian: classe
Japanese: 分類
Korean: 계급
Norwegian: klasse
Polish: klasa warstwa
European Portuguese: classe categoria
Romanian: clasă
Russian: класс
Latin American Spanish: clase aula
Swedish: klass
Thai: ชั้นเรียน
Turkish: sınıf
Ukrainian: клас
Vietnamese: lớp học
British English: class NOUN
in societyClass refers to the division of people in a society into groups according to their social status.
...the relationship between social classes.
American English: class
Brazilian Portuguese: classe
Chinese: 阶级
European Spanish: clase
French: classe
German: Klasse
Italian: classe
Japanese: 社会階級
Korean: 계층
European Portuguese: classe
Latin American Spanish: clase
British English: class NOUN
sophistocation If you say that someone or something has class, you mean that they are elegant and sophisticated.
The most elegant woman I've ever met – she had class in every sense of the word.
American English: class
Brazilian Portuguese: classe
Chinese: 品位
European Spanish: clase
French: classe
German: Klasse
Italian: classe
Japanese: 気品
Korean: 기품
European Portuguese: classe
Latin American Spanish: clase
All related terms of 'class'
class act
someone who is very good at what they do.
class up
to improve the quality, tone , or status of; add elegance , dignity , style, etc., to
class war
Marxism → another name for class struggle
gym class
a class held in a gym
low-class
vulgar , coarse, or undignified
top-class
Top-class means among the finest of its kind.
Bible class
a class , typically one meeting weekly , for Bible study
cabin class
a class of accommodation on a passenger ship between first class and tourist class
class bias
prejudicial treatment or perception based on social class
class book
a book published by members of a school or college class, containing pictures of students and teachers , an account of student activities, etc.
class list
(in Britain) a list categorizing students according to the class of honours they have obtained in their degree examination
class mark
a value within a class interval , esp its midpoint or the nearest integral value, used to represent the interval for computational convenience
class rank
a student's rank among others of the same year based on a numeric grade point average
class roll
(in Britain) a list categorizing students according to the class of honours they have obtained in their degree examination
club class
a class of air travel which is less luxurious than first class but more luxurious than economy class
coach class
the US and Canad. name for economy class
first class
If you describe something or someone as first-class , you mean that they are extremely good and of the highest quality.
form class
a group of words distinguished by common inflections , such as the weak verbs of English
high-class
If you describe something as high-class , you mean that it is of very good quality or of superior social status .
life class
a class in which students learn to draw or paint from life
lower class
Some people use the lower class or the lower classes to refer to the division of society that they consider to have the lowest social status .
third class
A third-class degree is the lowest honours degree that can be obtained from a British university .
upper class
The upper class or the upper classes are the group of people in a society who own the most property and have the highest social status , and who may not need to work for money .
word class
A word class is a group of words that have the same basic behaviour , for example nouns , adjectives , or verbs .
world-class
A world-class sports player, performer, or organization is one of the best in the world.
cattle class
a jocular name for the economy-class section of an airliner , in which passengers have little space to move
class action
A class action is a legal case brought by a group of people rather than an individual .
class barrier
A barrier is a problem that prevents two people or groups from agreeing , communicating , or working with each other.
class meaning
the meaning of a grammatical category or a form class , common to all forms showing the category or to all members of the form class, as in the meaning of number common to all Latin nouns or the meaning of singular common to all Latin singular noun and verb forms
class number
a value within a class interval , esp its midpoint or the nearest integral value, used to represent the interval for computational convenience
class society
a society in which class distinctions are influential
class system
a system in which social status is largely determined by the family into which a person is born
class teacher
a teacher who teaches a class
class warfare
Marxism → another name for class struggle
crystal class
any of 32 possible types of crystals, classified according to their rotational symmetry about axes through a point
cuddle class
a category of airline ticket in which two passengers purchase an additional seat so that they may recline together along a row of three seats
dancing class
a meeting of a group of student dancers for tuition in dancing
economy class
On an aeroplane, an economy class ticket or seat is the cheapest available.
evening class
An evening class is a course for adults that is taught in the evening rather than during the day .
fourth-class
of or relating to mail that is carried at the lowest rate
infant class
(in England and Wales ) a class at infant school for young schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 7
junior class
the penultimate class in high school or college
master class
a class taught by an accomplished musician who individually instructs advanced students in performance and technique , often before an audience
middle class
The middle class or middle classes are the people in a society who are not working class or upper class. Business people, managers , doctors , lawyers , and teachers are usually regarded as middle class.
proper class
a class which cannot itself be a member of other classes
second class
If someone treats you as a second-class citizen , they treat you as if you are less valuable and less important than other people.
social class
a broad group in society having common economic , cultural , or political status
tourist class
the lowest class of accommodations on passenger ships and aeroplanes
working class
The working class or the working classes are the group of people in a society who do not own much property , who have low social status, and who do jobs which involve using physical skills rather than intellectual skills.
a class act
If you say that someone such as a sports player or a performer is a class act , you mean that they are very good at what they do.
Chinese translation of 'class'
class
(klɑːs)
n
(c) (Scol)
(= group of pupils) 班级(級) (bānjí) (个(個), gè)
(= lesson) 课(課) (kè) (堂, táng)
(c/u) (social) 阶(階)级(級) (jiējí) (个(個), gè)
(c) (= type, group) 种(種)类(類) (zhǒnglèi)
⇒ We can identify several classes of fern.我们可以识别几种蕨类植物。 (Wǒmen kěyǐ shíbié jǐ zhǒng juélèi zhíwù.)
(u) (= sophistication) 风(風)度 (fēngdù)
⇒ His performance showed enormous class.他的表现显示出极好的风度。 (Tā de biǎoxiàn xiǎnshì chū jí hǎo de fēngdù.)
cpd
[structure, conflict, struggle]阶(階)级(級) (jiējí)
vt
(= categorize)
to class sb/sth as将(將)某人/某物分类(類)为(為) (jiāng mǒurén/mǒuwù fēnlèi wéi)
⇒ At nineteen you're still classed as a teenager.即使十九岁，你仍被定为十几岁的青少年。 (Jíshǐ shíjiǔ suì, nǐ rén bèi rèndìng wéi shíjǐ suì de qīngshàonián.)
in class (Scol) 上课(課)时(時) (shàngkè shí)
to be in a class of one's own独(獨)一无(無)二 (dú yī wú èr)
All related terms of 'class'
in class
( Scol ) 上课(課)时(時) shàngkè shí
club class
会(會)员(員)级(級) huìyuán jí
first-class
( excellent : worker, piece of work ) 第一流的 dìyīliú de
high-class
( performer, service ) 第一流的 dì yī liú de
upper class
▶ the upper class(es) 上流社会(會) shàngliú shèhuì
business class
公务(務)舱(艙) gōngwùcāng
economy class
经(經)济(濟)舱(艙)的 jīngjìcāng de
evening class
夜校 yèxiào [ 个(個) gè ]
middle class
▶ the middle class(es) 中产(產)阶(階)级(級) zhōngchǎn jiējí
second-class
( citizen, education ) 二等的 èrděng de
working class
▶ the working class(es) 工人阶(階)级(級) gōngrén jiējí
the ruling class
统(統)治阶(階)级(級) tǒngzhì jiējí
to class sb/sth as
将(將)某人/某物分类(類)为(為) jiāng mǒurén/mǒuwù fēnlèi wéi ⇒ At nineteen you're still classed as a teenager. → 即使十九岁，你仍被定为十几岁的青少年。 Jíshǐ shíjiǔ suì, nǐ rén bèi rèndìng wéi shíjǐ suì de qīngshàonián.
a group of pupils or students who are taught together
Reducing the size of classes should be a priority.
Synonyms
form (British)
I was going into the sixth form at school.
grade
Staff turnover is high among junior grades.
study group
band
stream
Examinations are used to choose which pupils will move into the top streams.
2 (noun)
Definition
a meeting of a group of students for tuition
They put me into a remedial maths class.
Synonyms
lesson
She took piano lessons.
period
a Biology period
seminar
Students are asked to prepare material in advance of each weekly seminar.
tutorial
Methods of study include lectures, tutorials and practical work.
3 (noun)
Definition
one of the groups into which a phylum is divided, containing one or more orders
the relationship between different social classes
Synonyms
group
The recipes are divided into groups according to their main ingredients.
grouping
There were two main political groupings pressing for independence.
set
the popular watering hole for the literary set
order
He maintained that the higher orders of society must rule the lower.
league
Her success has taken her out of my league.
division
Each was divided into several divisions.
rank
He eventually rose to the rank of captain.
caste
socially disadvantaged lower castes
status
sphere
life outside academic spheres of society
4 (noun)
Definition
one of the groups into which a phylum is divided, containing one or more orders
a new class of personal computer
Synonyms
type
There are various types of the disease.
set
sort
What sort of person is he?
kind
They developed a new kind of film-making.
collection
species
There are several thousand species of trees here.
grade
category
The entries were organised into six different categories.
stamp
Monty is a man of a very different stamp.
genre
his love of films and novels in the horror genre
classification
several different classifications of vehicles
denomination
genus
all the species of a particular genus
5 (noun)
Definition
excellence or elegance, esp. in dress, design, or behaviour
someone who exudes class, style and sophistication
Synonyms
style
She has not lost her grace and style.
polish
She was enormously popular for her charm and polish.
dash
He played with great fire and dash.
chic
elegance
Princess Grace's understated elegance
sophistication
refinement
a girl who possessed both dignity and refinement
panache
The orchestra played with great panache.
élan
The part was performed with élan by a promising young tenor.
savoir-faire
stylishness
bon ton (French)
(verb)
Definition
to place in a class
I would class my garden as being medium in size.
Synonyms
classify
Rocks can be classified according to their mode of origin.
group
The fact sheets are grouped into seven sections.
rate
The film was rated excellent by 90 per cent of children.
rank
Universities were ranked according to marks scored in seven areas.
brand
label
Too often the press are labelled as irresponsible.
grade
The college does not grade the children's work.
designate
I live in Exmoor, which is designated as a national park.
categorize
codify
The latest draft of the agreement codifies the panel's decision.
(adjective)
Definition
excellent, skilful, or stylish
We do not have a single class player in our team.
Synonyms
excellent
We complimented him on doing an excellent job.
expert
The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.
good
You should read this book – it's really good.
great
He was one of the West Indies' greatest cricketers.
able
They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.
skilled
skilled workers, such as plumbers
masterly
They gave a masterly performance.
outstanding
an outstanding tennis player
superb
a superb 18-hole golf course
superior
He's got a superior car, and it's easy to win races that way.
accomplished
one of the most accomplished authors of our time
first-class
competent
world-class
He was determined to become a world-class tennis player.
tasty (British, informal)
booshit (Australian, slang)
exo (Australian, slang)
sik (Australian, slang)
skilful
his skilful use of light and shade
adept
He is an adept guitar player.
first-rate
They were dealing with a first-rate professional.
superlative
proficient
Many Egyptians are proficient in foreign languages.
top-notch (informal)
adroit
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
dexterous
the composer's dextrous manipulation of pauses and silence
A1 or A-one (informal)
rad (informal)
phat (slang)
schmick (Australian, informal)
The band launch their schmick new CD next week.
Quotations
The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles [Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels – The Communist Manifesto]There are but two families in the world as my grandmother used to say, the Haves and the Have-nots [Miguel de Cervantes – Don Quixote]The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, God made them, high or lowly, And ordered their estate [Cecil Frances Alexander – All Things Bright and Beautiful]