second class: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, Informal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “second class” mean?
Of inferior rank, quality, or status.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Of inferior rank, quality, or status; belonging to a lower tier or category.
Can refer to a postal service grade, a lower travel accommodation class, a university degree classification, or a perceived lesser social/legal status.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'second class' is a standard postal category and a railway travel class. In the US, 'second class' is less commonly used for mail (where 'standard' or 'bulk' is typical) but is used for travel and social commentary.
Connotations
Pejorative connotations (inferior, substandard) are strong and similar in both. The UK usage has more specific institutional meanings (post, rail, degree classification).
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to specific institutional uses (post, trains). In US English, often replaced by 'coach class' for travel or 'standard' for mail in everyday contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “second class” in a Sentence
be treated as + second classfeel like + a second-class citizentravel + in second classsend it + by second classVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second class” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The university second-classed his degree due to plagiarism.
- They were effectively second-classed within the organisation.
American English
- The policy second-classes entire communities.
- He felt the company had second-classed his contribution.
adverb
British English
- The letter was sent second class.
- They travelled second class all the way to Edinburgh.
American English
- I mailed the documents second class.
- We flew second class to keep within budget.
adjective
British English
- She sent the parcel by second-class post.
- They booked second-class rail tickets to save money.
- He refused to accept second-class treatment.
American English
- They were relegated to a second-class status.
- Don't settle for second-class merchandise.
- The law was criticized for creating second-class citizens.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to lower-tier services or products ('We won't accept second-class workmanship').
Academic
Refers to a British university degree classification (Upper/Lower Second Class).
Everyday
Used for post/travel and to describe unfair treatment ('He made me feel second class').
Technical
In transportation, denotes a specific service tier. In law/sociology, denotes a deprived legal or social status.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second class”
- Using 'second-class' without a hyphen before a noun (e.g., 'second class citizen' is incorrect; must be 'second-class citizen'). Confusing it with 'secondary' which means 'of less importance' but not inherently inferior.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In neutral contexts like 'second-class post' or 'travel in second class', it simply denotes a standard, cheaper service tier. It becomes negative when applied to people, rights, or treatment.
'Second class' often refers to an official category or status. 'Second-rate' is exclusively pejorative, meaning distinctly low in quality. A 'second-class degree' is a specific classification; a 'second-rate degree' is an insulting opinion.
Use a hyphen when 'second-class' functions as a compound adjective before a noun ('second-class ticket'). No hyphen when used as an adverbial phrase ('travel second class') or as a noun ('book a seat in second class').
It's a metaphorical idiom. It describes individuals or groups who are systematically denied some rights, privileges, or opportunities available to others, making their legal or social status inferior, even if not officially codified.
Of inferior rank, quality, or status.
Second class is usually formal, informal, neutral in register.
Second class: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsekənd ˈklɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsekənd ˈklæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “second-class citizen”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a train with FIRST CLASS and SECOND CLASS carriages. The second carriage is behind the first, literally and in quality.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A TRAVEL CLASS SYSTEM (first class, second class, etc.).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'second class' LEAST likely to be pejorative?