What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between original and classic?

original | classic |

As adjectives the difference between original and classic

is that original is relating to the origin or beginning; preceding all others while classic is of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.

As nouns the difference between original and classic

is that original is an object or other creation (e.g. narrative work) from which all later copies and variations are derived while classic is a perfect and/or early example of a particular style.

original

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (label) Relating to the origin or beginning; preceding all others.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1944, author=(w)
  • , title= The Three Corpse Trick, chapter=5 , passage=The hovel stood in the centre of what had once been a vegetable garden, but was now a patch of rank weeds. Surrounding this, almost like a zareba, was an irregular ring of gorse and brambles, an unclaimed vestige of the original common.}}
  • (label) First in a series or copies/versions.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
  • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=1 citation , passage=The original family who had begun to build a palace to rival Nonesuch had died out before they had put up little more than the gateway, […].}}
  • (label) Newly created.
  • (label) Fresh, different.
  • (label) Pioneering.
  • (label) Having as its origin.
  • Synonyms

    * (first in series ) initial * autograph * prototype

    Antonyms

    * copy * derivative * reproduction * simile

    Derived terms

    * originally * original sin

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An object or other creation (e.g. narrative work) from which all later copies and variations are derived
  • This manuscript is the original
  • A person with a unique and interesting personality and/or creative talent
  • You’re an original
  • (archaic) An eccentric
  • Synonyms

    * autograph * prototype

    Antonyms

    * copy * remake * reproduction

    Statistics

    *

    classic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * classick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or relating to the first class or rank, especially in literature or art.
  • * 1661 , , The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond
  • During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant
  • * (Lord Byron) (1788-1824)
  • Give, as thy last memorial to the age, / One classic drama, and reform the stage.
  • Exemplary of a particular style.
  • Exhibiting timeless quality.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=20 citation , passage=The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-01-01, author=Paul Bartel, Ashli Moore
  • , volume=101, issue=1, page=47–48, magazine=(American Scientist) , title= Avian Migration: The Ultimate Red-Eye Flight , passage=Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported […] that pine siskins (Spinus pinus ) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration.}}
  • Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks and Romans, especially to Greek or Roman authors of the highest rank, or of the period when their best literature was produced; of or pertaining to places inhabited by the ancient Greeks and Romans, or rendered famous by their deeds.
  • * (Felicia Hemans) (1804-1864)
  • Though throned midst Latium's classic plains.
  • (euphemistic) Traditional; original.
  • Synonyms

    * classical

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
  • An artistic work of lasting worth
  • The author of such a work.
  • * Macaulay
  • Raised him to the rank of a legitimate English classic .
  • A major, long-standing sporting event
  • (dated) One learned in the literature of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome; a student of classical literature.
  • See also

    * classical * classics