second-class

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​ond-class ˈse-kən(d)-ˈklas 

-kᵊŋ-

1

: of or relating to a second class

2

: mediocre

also : socially, politically, or economically deprived

second class

2 of 2

noun

1

: the second and usually next to highest group in a classification

2

: cabin class

3

: a class of U.S. or Canadian mail comprising periodicals sent to regular subscribers

Synonyms

Adjective

• inferior
• mean
• minor
• second-rate
• secondary

Examples of second-class in a Sentence

Adjective

a playwright who produced only second-class work when he turned his hand to poetry

it's only a second-class restaurant and not worth the high prices

Noun

The airline offers special services for travelers in first and second class.

She got an upper second class in English at Oxford.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In too many places, women remain second-class citizens. —World Economic Forum, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The Baptists of Virginia were also held in second-class status. —Adam Jortner, The Conversation, 18 Oct. 2024

Noun

Allison, who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s second class in 2011, is a five-time NASCAR champion – Cup Series (1983), Modified Division (1964, ’65) and Modified Special Division (1962, ’63). —Bruce Martin, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

And there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools. —Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

second-class

adjective

1

: of or relating to a class next below the first or highest class

2

a

: inferior entry 1 sense 3, mediocre

b

: deprived of wealth or social rank