What is the Latin word for classical?

The usual Latin words for “classical” are bonus, praecipuus, eximius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“classical” in Latin

bonusgood, honest, brave, noble, kind, pleasant; right; useful praecipuusparticular, special; distinguished, preeminent eximiusselect, choice; special, particular, exceptional, remarkable, extraordinary; exempt

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

classical

best, most distinguished (of writers, whose works are master-pieces), optimus: praestantissimus: praecipuus: eximius: primae classis. “A classical writer” [Vid: CLASSIC].

With reference to Greek and Roman writers: “Classical litterature” [Vid: CLASSIC]. Classical antiquity, antiquitas Graecorum et Romanorum: antiquitas docta et erudita (with reference to learning): antiquitas elegans (with reference to art). For a long time no author should be read who is not classical of his kind, diu non nisi optimus quisque legendus est: to acquire a copiu verborum by perusing works that are classical, copiam verborum parare optima legendo.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for classical?: The usual Latin words for “classical” are bonus, praecipuus, eximius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.