classy
gb/klˈæsi/ us/klˈæsi/
B2
English
elegáns, ízléses, kulturált, színvonalas, előkelő, exkluzív, sportszerű, nagyvonalú
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[clothes/design/place] is classy
She wore a simple black dress that looked really classy.
Egyszerű fekete ruhát viselt, ami igazán elegánsnak hatott.
The new logo is clean and classy without being boring.
Az új logó letisztult és elegáns anélkül, hogy unalmas lenne.
It’s a classy little restaurant with soft lighting and great service.
Learner examples
Your jacket looks classy.
A dzsekid elegánsnak tűnik.
We went to a classy restaurant.
Egy elegáns étterembe mentünk.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse classy with classical (related to old styles, music, art).
Meaning
stylish and elegant
Collocations
classy outfit
|classy dress
|classy look
|classy style
|classy design
|classy décor
|classy restaurant
|classy hotel
|classy interior
|classy touch
Synonyms
elegant (more formal and often more traditional)
|
stylish (focuses on fashion and modern style)
|
tasteful (emphasizes good judgment and restraint)
|
sophisticated (suggests refined, well-developed style)
Antonyms
tacky (shows bad taste in an obvious way)
|
gaudy (too bright or showy)
|
cheap-looking (seems low-quality or poorly made)
Themes
fashion
|appearance
|design
|lifestyle
Definition
beautiful and elegant in a good way
Attractive in a stylish, elegant way that shows good taste and is not flashy.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone/behavior] is classy
Even when she was criticized, she stayed classy and didn’t insult anyone.
Még akkor is kulturált maradt, amikor bírálták, és nem sértegetett senkit.
It wasn’t very classy to laugh at him in front of everyone.
Nem volt valami elegáns mindenki előtt kinevetni őt.
He gave a classy apology and took full responsibility.
Learner examples
Please be classy and polite.
Kérlek, légy kulturált és udvarias.
His message was classy.
Az üzenete kulturált hangvételű volt.
Common mistake:
Classy is a compliment; it can also be used sarcastically depending on tone.
Meaning
polite and well-mannered
Collocations
classy person
|classy woman
|classy guy
|classy behavior
|classy response
|classy manner
|classy attitude
Synonyms
polite (basic good manners)
|
gracious (kind and generous, especially under pressure)
|
refined (suggests cultured, careful manners)
|
respectful (emphasizes consideration for others)
Antonyms
rude (not polite; disrespectful)
|
crude (offensive or too direct in a bad way)
|
vulgar (lacking good taste; often sexual or crude)
Themes
social_life
|behavior
|manners
Definition
polite and not rude
Behaving in a polite, respectful way and avoiding rude or vulgar speech or actions.
B2
3
színvonalas
B2
Usage pattern:
[performance/product/service] is classy
That was a classy performance from start to finish.
Ez elejétől a végéig színvonalas produkció volt.
The team delivered a classy display of passing and control.
A csapat passzjátéka és labdakontrollja is színvonalas volt.
Their customer support is quick, calm, and genuinely classy.
Learner examples
The show was classy.
A műsor színvonalas volt.
She gave a classy presentation.
Színvonalas előadást tartott.
Common mistake:
This sense is about quality or skill, not only about appearance.
Meaning
high-quality and impressive
Collocations
classy performance
|classy touch
|classy finish
|classy service
|classy production
|classy presentation
|classy campaign
Synonyms
top-notch (informal; strongly emphasizes high quality)
|
first-rate (neutral; emphasizes high standard)
|
excellent (general word for very good quality)
|
professional (emphasizes skill and competence)
Antonyms
shoddy (poorly made or done)
|
mediocre (average and not impressive)
|
amateurish (lacking professional skill)
Themes
evaluation
|arts
|sports
|business
Definition
very good and high quality
Of a high standard; showing quality, skill, or excellence.
C1
4
Usage pattern:
[area/place/event] is classy
They moved to a classy neighborhood with old trees and big houses.
Egy előkelő környékre költöztek, öreg fákkal és nagy házakkal.
The party felt surprisingly classy for a work event.
A parti meglepően előkelőnek hatott egy munkahelyi eseményhez képest.
It’s a small car, but it has a classy, high-end interior.
Learner examples
This area looks classy.
Ez a környék előkelőnek tűnik.
They had a classy party.
Előkelő partit rendeztek.
Common mistake:
Classy can suggest ‘upper-class’ without being an exact description of someone’s real social status.
Meaning
upscale or upper-class
Collocations
classy neighborhood
|classy part of town
|classy crowd
|classy event
|classy venue
|classy bar
Synonyms
upscale (common and neutral for expensive places or products)
|
posh (more informal; often British)
|
high-end (often used for products and brands)
Antonyms
downmarket (less expensive; aimed at lower budgets)
|
run-down (in poor condition)
|
seedy (suggests a place that feels unsafe or unpleasant)
Themes
lifestyle
|society
|money
Definition
expensive-looking; for rich people
Seeming suitable for wealthy people or a higher social class; expensive-looking or upscale.
B2
INFORMAL
5
sportszerű
B2
nagyvonalú
B2
Usage pattern:
It was classy of [someone] to [do something]
It was classy of him to congratulate his opponent right away.
Sportszerű volt tőle, hogy rögtön gratulált az ellenfelének.
After the loss, she gave a classy interview and thanked the fans.
A vereség után sportszerűen nyilatkozott, és megköszönte a szurkolóknak.
They won easily, but they celebrated in a classy way.
Learner examples
It was classy of her to say thank you.
Nagyvonalú volt tőle, hogy megköszönte.
He was classy after the game.
Sportszerű volt a meccs után.
Common mistake:
Often used about actions (‘It was classy of her...’), not only about people.
Meaning
gracious and fair in competition
Collocations
classy gesture
|classy apology
|classy congratulation
|classy acceptance speech
|classy farewell
|classy response
Synonyms
sporting (traditional word for fair behavior in sport)
|
gracious (emphasizes kindness and self-control)
|
magnanimous (more formal; generous to an opponent)
Antonyms
petty (small-minded and mean)
|
sore (as in sore loser; angry about losing)
|
unsportsmanlike (not fair or respectful in competition)
Themes
sports
|social_life
|behavior
Definition
kind and respectful, even in competition
Showing respect and good sportsmanship, especially after winning or losing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
classy
IPA
GB/klˈæsi/
US/klˈæsi/
Syllables & stress
classy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (classy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: classy
- Comparative: classier
- Superlative: classiest
Word family
Expressions
a classy move
1/ə klˈæsi mˈuv/
fixed phrase
informal
a respectful admirable action
a very polite and kind action
Examples
- Donating the prize money was a classy move.
- Sending her a private apology was a classy move.
- Calling him out in public was not a classy move.
Learner examples
- That was a classy move.
- It was a classy move to apologize.
keep it classy
1/kˈip ˈɪt klˈæsi/
fixed phrase
informal
behave in a tasteful way
be polite and not rude
Examples
- It’s a family dinner, so keep it classy.
- They argued online for hours and then told each other to keep it classy.
- Keep it classy at the office party—your boss will be there.
Learner examples
- Please keep it classy.
- Keep it classy at the wedding.
stay classy
1/stˈeɪ klˈæsi/
fixed phrase
informal
continue to be classy
keep being polite and stylish
Examples
- Thanks for coming tonight—stay classy, everyone.
- He ended the email with, 'Stay classy,' which felt a little joking.
- Stay classy and don’t make personal comments in the meeting.
Learner examples
- Stay classy!
- Stay classy, friends.