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class

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noun

/klæs/

singular	class
plural	classes

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

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Am/Br differences

1
[countable] a group of students who are taught together
Do you like the other kids in your class?
My biology teacher is taking our class to the Boston Aquarium.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
1. a.
  [countable/uncountable] a period of time during which a group of students is taught together
  I have classes all afternoon.
  in class:
  We had to write an essay in class.
  a Spanish/math/science etc. class:
  I'll be in my French class at noon.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
2. b.
  [countable] a series of classes in a particular subject
  I go to my art class on Mondays.
  You could join an exercise class at your local health club.
  take a class:
  I've started taking classes at the community college.
  teach a class:
  Since getting her degree in 1986, she has taught English classes for adults.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
3. c.
  [countable] [usually singular] a group of people who finish a course of study together in the same year
  He attended his class reunion at Cornell University.
  the class of '64/'81/1995 etc.:
  He graduated with the class of '87.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
2
[countable] one of the groups into which people in a society are divided according to their family background, education, job, or income
Garcia is a candidate who appeals to people of all classes.
Craftsmen of the period clearly belonged to a lower-middle class.
a social class:
Women from all social classes attend the courses.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
1. a.
  [uncountable] the existence of differences that cause people to be divided into different social groups
  social class:
  the relationship between social class and educational achievement
  a class system:
  A rigid class system still prevails throughout the country.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
3
[countable] a group of things, animals, or people with similar features or qualities
class of:
The race has competitions for ten classes of boats.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
4
[countable] one of the standards of service available to someone traveling by train, airplane, etc.
A man sitting in first class started the argument.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
5
[countable] one of the groups into which people are divided in a competition
Andrews won her class by a massive 10-minute margin.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
6
[uncountable] informal the natural ability to choose the best thing or behave in the most appropriate way in every situation
I'll say this much for him: he's got class.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
7
[countable] British one of the levels that a university degree qualification is divided into according to how well you do in your final examinations. The levels are first class, second class, and third class.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class

phrases

be in a class of your/its own
to be much better than anyone or anything else
When it comes to exciting cities, New York is in a class of its own.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
be in a different class (from)
if a person or thing is in a different class from other similar things, it is much better than the other things
He was clearly in a different class from all the other athletes.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
not be in the same class (as)
if two people or things are not in the same class, one is much better than the other
It's quite a funny show, but it's not in the same class as "The Office."
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class
Class A/B/C etc.
used for showing which group something belongs to, according to how much of a particular quality or feature it has
Class B explosives
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of class

Am/Br differences: class

Differences between American and British English: class

In both the U.S. and the U.K., a class is usually a group of students who are learning together: Jill and I were in the same class in fifth grade. In the U.S., you can also use class to mean a group of students who all finished high school or college in a particular year: Tim was in the class of 1998. In the U.S., class is also used to mean a course of instruction in a particular subject: a class in business administration. The usual British word for this is course: a course in business administration. Class can also mean one of the periods in the school day when a group of students are taught: What time is your next class? British speakers usually use lesson in this meaning, but American speakers do not.

This is the American English definition of class. View British English definition of class.

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class

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phrases

be in a class of your/its own

be in a different class (from)

not be in the same class (as)

Class A/B/C etc.

charticle

Word of the Day

picture messaging

never event