Definition

1. Noun:

   • A group of students taught together: A group of people who are taught together, typically in a school, college, or course.
   • A period of instruction: A meeting during which such instruction is given.
   • A social or economic stratum: A division of people in a society based on social, economic, or educational status.
   • A category or rank: A group sharing a particular quality, attribute, or characteristic; a division based on grade or quality.
   • Elegance or style: Stylishness, sophistication, or high quality in appearance or behavior.
   • (Biology) A taxonomic rank: A principal category in biological classification that ranks below a phylum and above an order.

2. Verb:

   • To classify or categorize: To assign something to a particular category or group based on shared characteristics.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She teaches a large class of first-year students. (Referring to a group of students.)
  • My history class starts at 9 AM. (Referring to a period of instruction.)
  • He comes from a working-class background. (Referring to a social stratum.)
  • This hotel is in a class by itself for luxury. (Referring to a rank or category of quality.)
  • The actress carried herself with real class. (Referring to elegance.)
  • Mammals belong to the class Mammalia. (Referring to a biological taxonomic group.)

• Verb:

  • Biologists class whales as mammals. (To categorize.)

Advanced Usage

• "In a class of its own": So superior that it cannot be compared to others.
  • As a violinist, she is in a class of her own.
• "To take a class": To enroll in and attend a course of study.
  • I decided to take a cooking class.
• "To have class": To possess elegance, grace, or admirable qualities.
  • He apologized sincerely—that showed real class.

Variants and Related Words

• Classify (verb): To arrange in classes or categories. (e.g., )
• Classification (noun): The act or result of classifying. (e.g., )
• Classy (adjective, informal): Stylish and sophisticated. (e.g., )
• Classless (adjective): 1. Not divided into social classes. 2. Lacking elegance or style.
• Classroom (noun): A room where a class of students is taught.

Synonyms

• Noun (Group/Category): Category, group, type, kind, rank, grade, division.
• Noun (Social stratum): Stratum, caste, order, echelon.
• Noun (Elegance): Style, elegance, sophistication, grace.
• Verb: Categorize, classify, group, rank, sort.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• "Class someone/something as": To assign to a particular category.
  • The law classes this substance as a controlled drug.
• "Class with": To group together with similar things.
  • This wine is classed with the finest vintages.

Related Idioms

• "The class of [year]": The group of students who graduated or are due to graduate in a specific year.
  • She was a member of the class of 1999.
• "Top of the class": The best student in a class or group.
  • He graduated top of his class.
• "No class" (informal, often derogatory): Lacking good manners, style, or quality.
  • That rude comment was no class at all.

Verb

1. arrange or order by classes or categories
   • How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?

Noun

1. elegance in dress or behavior
   • she has a lot of class
2. (biology) a taxonomic group containing one or more orders
3. a body of students who graduate together
   • the class of '97
   • she was in my year at Hoehandle High
4. a league ranked by quality
   • he played baseball in class D for two years
   • Princeton is in the NCAA Division 1-AA
5. education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
   • he took a course in basket weaving
   • flirting is not unknown in college classes
6. people having the same social, economic, or educational status
   • the working class
   • an emerging professional class
7. a body of students who are taught together
   • early morning classes are always sleepy
8. a collection of things sharing a common attribute
   • there are two classes of detergents