class
klahs
Class (noun) means a group of people or things sharing common features; a category. Example: “Roses belong to a class of plants known for their thorns.”
noun
1
A group of people or things sharing common features; a category.
"Roses belong to a class of plants known for their thorns."
"Scientists sort the rocks into one class or another by how they formed."
"Mammals are a class of animals that feed their young milk."
2
A social group defined by wealth, occupation, or background.
"The novel explores tensions between the working class and the upper class."
"In the old days, the middle class had few ways to gain power."
"People from every class of society came to watch the parade."
3
A group of students taught together, or a single scheduled lesson.
"Our history class meets every Tuesday morning."
"She missed class because of a dentist appointment."
"The whole class went on a trip to the science museum."
4
Elegance, style, or dignified behaviour.
"He handled the criticism with real class."
"The hotel has a certain class that makes every guest feel special."
"It showed real class to thank the other team after losing."
verb
1
To place something or someone into a particular category.
"The film is classed as a comedy, though it has dark moments."
"Most people would class this song as pop rather than rock."
"The library classes these books as fiction, so they are on the second floor."
How to use class
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA category or grouping — of people, things, or students — and informally, a word for style or elegance.
Common pairings
social class
take a class
in a class of its own
show some class
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like class.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- classes
- Third person singular
- classes
- Past tense
- classed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Roses belong to a _____ of plants known for their thorns.
Etymology
From Latin classis, originally referring to a division of Roman citizens called up for military service, later generalised to mean "a group or category."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for class
See all rhymes for class →Frequently asked questions
What does “class” mean?
The word “class” means a group of people or things sharing common features; a category. In plain terms, a category or grouping — of people, things, or students — and informally, a word for style or elegance.
How do you pronounce “class”?
“Class” is pronounced klahs (/klæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “class” in a sentence?
Here is “class” used in a sentence: “Mammals are a class of animals that feed their young milk.”
What is another word for “class”?
Words with a similar meaning to “class” include category, description, stripe, fashion, division and family.
What part of speech is “class”?
Depending on how it is used, “class” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “class” come from?
The word “class” comes from Latin. From Latin classis, originally referring to a division of Roman citizens called up for military service, later generalised to mean "a group or category.".
Is “class” a common word?
“Class” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “class” have?
“Class” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of people or things sharing common features; a category.
What is the difference between a class and a category?
The two are close synonyms for a group whose members share features. 'Category' is the more general word for any such grouping. 'Class' often suggests a more formal or scientific place within a classification system, as biologists rank a class above an order, but in everyday use they overlap freely.
What is the difference between a class and a group?
A 'group' is simply any collection of people or things gathered together, for any reason. A 'class' is a group whose members are placed together because they share defining features or belong to the same category. Every class is a group, but a random group is not necessarily a class.
What is an example of a class in this sense?
In biology, mammals form a class of animals defined by shared traits like fur and feeding young on milk. More loosely, you might speak of 'a class of problems' in mathematics or 'the professional classes' in society, in each case members grouped together because they share common characteristics.
Does 'class' always mean a school lesson?
No. 'Class' has several meanings. It can be a lesson or group of students, a level of quality or society, or, as here, a category of people or things sharing common features. In this sense, 'a class of insects' means a type or grouping, not a classroom.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include class:
