second-class
[adjective]
Synonyms: inferior, indifferent, mediocre, second-best, second-rate, undistinguished, uninspiring

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. ˌsecond ˈclass noun [uncountable]

1. a way of travelling on a ship or train that is cheaper and less comfortable than first class

2. a way of delivering letters etc in Britain that is cheaper and slower than first class

3. the system in the US for delivering newspapers, magazines, advertisements etc through the post

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. See main entry: second-class

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ˌsecond-ˈclass adjective [only before noun]

1. PEOPLE considered to be less important and less valuable than other people:
Why should old people be treated like second-class citizens?

2. LOWER STANDARD of a lower standard or quality than the best:
We will not accept a second-class education for our children.

3. TRAVEL second-class ticket/fare/compartment/cabin etc tickets etc that are for cheaper, less comfortable seats on a train or ship

4. MAIL second-class mail/post/stamp etc relating to the system of delivering mail in Britain that is cheaper and slower

5. UNIVERSITY DEGREE used to describe a university degree in Britain that is good, but not the highest level:
a second-class honours degree ⇒ first class(3)
—second class adverb:
He was travelling second class.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

second class
n.
1. The second best or highest group; the class next after the first.
Joe was good enough in arithmetic to be put in the second class but was not good enough for the first.
Compare: FIRST CLASS.
2. The place or quarters, especially on a ship, train, or airplane which people travel who pay the next to the highest fare.
Aunt May bought a ticket to travel in the second class on the boat trip.
Compare: FIRST CLASS, THIRD CLASS.
3. A class of mail that includes magazines and newspapers published at least four times a year and costs less for mailing than first class mail.
Compare: FIRST CLASS.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

second class
second-class¹ adj.
1. Belonging in the class that is next to the highest or next best.
He was only a second-class math student.
His parents traveled as second-class passengers on the boat.
The periodical came as second-class mail.
Compare: FIRST-CLASS, THIRD-CLASS.
2. Not so good as others; second-rate.
They were never given full democratic rights but were always treated as second-class citizens.
second-class² adv. By second class.
We went second-class on the train to New York.
I mailed the newspaper second-class.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲