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classy

classy

133 4.1
Being elegant and stylish and showing good taste
  • adjective
  • /ˈklæsi/
translation icon : elegante
  • The evening gala was a classy event, with elegant decorations and exquisite cuisine.

Today's episode is brought to you by the always classy Ridge wallet.

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Examples

  • Harry stands in a shabby doorway across the street from a classy restaurant.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Love this outfit, so classy, perfect for winter.

  • Thank you for being so classy and taking this so well.

  • By this definition, there are almost no truly classy places in the United States.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • It's just so smart and classy and elegant.

  • You are so classy it's insane.

  • This is a very classy dame.

  • She kept on saying she had this big smile, super classy, super refined.

  • Today's episode is brought to you by the always classy Ridge wallet.

  • It can be a classy red like a Dolce Gabbana.

Synonyms

elegant
vsclassy
165 3.3

Having an attractive, stylish look that shows good taste

is broader, emphasizing good taste and fashion rather than only grace
glamorous
vsclassy
132 4.3

Looking stylish and exciting in a way that attracts attention

focuses on refined good taste rather than dramatic allure
smart
vsclassy
127 2.4

Looks neat, clean, and fashionable

leans more toward refined good taste than simply neatness
stylish
vsclassy
85 2.0

Clothes or rooms that look fashionable and attractive

focuses on timeless good taste and elegance beyond fashion trends
chic
vsclassy
57 3.5

Elegant and fashionable in a simple, modern way

leans toward classic good taste rather than trendy flair
tasteful
vsclassy
41 3.9

Showing good style and polite manners

emphasizes elegance and fashionable appearance beyond mere judgment
posh
vsclassy
  • Informal
38 6.9

Expensive and stylish in a way that rich people like

centres on refined good taste rather than social class signals
high-class
vsclassy
20 5.8

Showing elegant, expensive style that makes someone seem richer or more important

is about tasteful elegance without pretension or status display
suave
vsclassy
18 7.1

Confident and charming in a smooth, polite way, often about a man

emphasizes tasteful appearance more than personal charm or confidence
swanky
vsclassy
  • Informal
18 7.4

Very stylish and expensive-looking, like a fancy car or hotel

is more about tasteful refinement than showy display
snappy
vsclassy
  • Informal
17 3.8

Stylish and neat in appearance, often because of clothes or hair

reflects broader tasteful elegance rather than brisk fashion effect
spiffy
vsclassy
  • Informal
16 7.8

Neat and stylish in appearance

leans toward enduring good taste rather than only fresh neatness
dapper
vsclassy
16 6.2

Neat and stylish in the way a man dresses

covers general tasteful elegance rather than male-specific neatness
dressy
vsclassy
12 3.6

Suitable for formal events like a wedding or party

is broader, applying to general tasteful style not only formal wear
ritzy
vsclassy
  • Informal
7 7.5

Expensive and fashionable, showing that someone has money

is about tasteful style without necessarily showing luxury or expense
refined
vsclassy
  • Formal
4 4.1

Showing elegant, polite manners and good taste

focuses on wide fashion sense rather than mainly cultured manners
swank
vsclassy
4 7.7

Fashionable and showy in a way that seems rich

focuses on refined, subtle elegance rather than attention-grabbing show
très chic
vsclassy
1 9.2

Very stylish and elegant

adds degree, highlighting strong fashion emphasis over subtle taste
swish
vsclassy
  • UK
1 7.2

Being stylish and looking expensive

is more about tasteful elegance, not only luxury display
haute
vsclassy
8.3

Very high-class and fashionable, often for food or clothing

applies more generally to good taste beyond elite, high-end contexts
poshy
vsclassy
  • UK
9.9

Being fancy and expensive, liked by rich people

refers to tasteful elegance rather than class-focused exclusivity
hotsy-totsy
vsclassy
  • Archaic
9.9

Having a fashionable, attractive look, like new clothes or a neat room

uses a more neutral, tasteful tone instead of playful slang

Antonyms

tacky
  • Informal
68 4.3

Showy in a cheap way that looks bad

Few people wear it now because it is not in style

How Classy

sophisticated
86 6.7
elegant
165 3.3
classy
133 4.1
tasteful
41 3.9
stylish
85 2.0

Surface Forms

classy positive
classier comparative
classiest superlative

Morphology

classy = class (transparent) = class + y

The adjective is a regular formation from the noun 'class' with -y meaning 'having class' or 'characterized by class', so the meaning 'stylish' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Classy comes from the simpler word class, which meant a social group or rank and where people in a higher 'class' were seen as more elegant. The ending -y means 'having', so classy literally means 'having the style of a higher class', which is why it now means elegant and stylish.