classicism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; primarily academic, literary, and artistic.
Quick answer
What does “classicism” mean?
An aesthetic attitude or principle based on the emulation of the styles and principles of ancient Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture, characterised by an emphasis on harmony, clarity, restraint, and order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An aesthetic attitude or principle based on the emulation of the styles and principles of ancient Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture, characterised by an emphasis on harmony, clarity, restraint, and order.
A general adherence to classical principles in any field, such as music or architecture, or a preference for traditional, well-established, and authoritative forms over innovation and experimentation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes high culture, tradition, and intellectual rigor.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK academic texts, reflecting the centrality of Classical studies in the traditional British curriculum.
Grammar
How to Use “classicism” in a Sentence
[verb] + classicism: embrace/reject/define/represent classicism[adjective] + classicism: austere/rigid/sober/Renaissance classicismclassicism + [preposition]: classicism in art/architecture/literatureVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “classicism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable; 'classicise' is extremely rare and not standard]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'classicize' is extremely rare and not standard]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; 'classicistically' is not a standard word]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'classicistically' is not a standard word]
adjective
British English
- The building's classicist façade was a deliberate homage to Palladio.
- He held a classicist view of poetic metre.
American English
- The museum's classicist design stood in stark contrast to the modern skyscrapers.
- Her critique was informed by a classicist sensibility.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Central term in art history, literary criticism, musicology, and cultural studies. E.g., 'The essay examines the tension between classicism and romanticism in 18th-century poetry.'
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in discussions of architecture, art, or theatre by educated non-specialists.
Technical
Specific, precise meaning in the arts. E.g., 'Palladian classicism is defined by its use of symmetry and classical orders.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “classicism”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “classicism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “classicism”
- Confusing 'classicism' with 'classics' (the study of ancient languages) or 'classical music'.
- Using it to mean simply 'a classic example' (e.g., 'His mistake was a classicism' is incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'classisism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Classicism' is the broad principle. 'Neoclassicism' specifically refers to a revival of classicism, especially in the 18th and early 19th centuries after the Baroque period.
Yes, but cautiously. It can be used analogously (e.g., 'Chinese literary classicism'), but it often carries implicit reference to Greco-Roman models. In cross-cultural studies, scholars might use terms like 'classical tradition' to avoid Eurocentrism.
A 'classic' is a work of enduring excellence and authority (e.g., 'Moby-Dick is a classic'). 'Classicism' is the aesthetic system or style that seeks to create such works by imitating ancient models and principles.
It is descriptive but often carries a positive connotation of intelligence, order, and timeless value. In polemical contexts, it can be used negatively to imply rigidity, coldness, or a lack of innovation.
An aesthetic attitude or principle based on the emulation of the styles and principles of ancient Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture, characterised by an emphasis on harmony, clarity, restraint, and order.
Classicism is usually formal; primarily academic, literary, and artistic. in register.
Classicism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklæs.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklæs.ə.sɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this abstract noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CLASSIC-ism. It's the 'ism' (the doctrine or principle) of following the CLASSIC(al) models from ancient Greece and Rome.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLASSICISM IS ORDER (vs. chaos); CLASSICISM IS RESTRAINT (vs. excess); CLASSICISM IS CLARITY (vs. obscurity).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic typically associated with classicism?