classy

Everyday

1. (informal) Stylish, elegant and of good quality, often looking expensive. tree →
2. (informal) Behaving in a fair, polite and graceful way (a classy gesture). tree →
3. (informal, sarcastic) Said of something rude or tasteless to mock it («Burping at the table — classy!»). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and stories it praises clothes, restaurants, cars or behaviour. In sport, a «classy player» is very skilful, and a «classy move» is good sportsmanship. It can also be said sarcastically to mean the opposite. It tells the reader something has style or grace.

Examples

• She wore a classy black dress to the wedding. tree →
• We had dinner in a classy restaurant for Mum's birthday. tree →
• That was a classy goal — so smooth! tree →
• Shaking hands with the losing team was a classy thing to do. tree →
• The hotel looked very classy with its golden lights. tree →
• "Wiping your nose on your sleeve? Classy," said my brother. tree →

Note

Comparative classier, superlative classiest. Informal: avoid it in formal essays. Watch the tone: «Classy!» can be sarcasm meaning the opposite.