Classy

How to spell classy

6 letters · 2 syllables

How to pronounce classy

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does classy mean?

1. adjectiveStylish, elegant, and showing good taste or refinement.

Classy in a sentence

• The restaurant felt classy without being stuffy or overpriced.

• She wore a classy navy suit to the interview.

Where does classy come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word is a fairly modern informal coinage, built in English by adding the adjective suffix -y to the noun 'class'. 'Class' itself came from the Latin classis, which originally named one of the six property-based divisions into which the Roman state was sorted for taxation and military service; the word later broadened to mean any group, rank, or grade. English took 'class' from that Latin source by way of French in the 1600s, and over time 'class' picked up the social sense of high standing or refinement. By the late nineteenth century, English speakers were attaching -y to produce 'classy', meaning showing the elegance or style associated with the upper class. The single -ss followed by the bright -y ending is the spelling point to watch, since the word simply keeps the full noun 'class' intact before the suffix.

How the word is built

• class (rank, high quality)
• -y (adjective suffix: having the quality of)