second-class
second-class — adjective
1. treated or thought of as less important or valuable than other people, often bec
treated or thought of as less important or valuable than other people, often because of a person's gender, race, or job type
For years, women in that country were treated as second-class citizens and denied the vote.
collocation: second-class citizen (fixed phrase)
Part-time workers at the factory complained that they received second-class treatment compared to full-time staff.
Refugees arriving in the city were made to feel like second-class members of society.
Salma refused a second-class role in a project she had helped to create.
- inferior
broader meaning; not limited to social status (e.g. inferior product)
- subordinate
implies a rank in a hierarchy rather than unjust treatment
- lesser
more informal, can refer to quality or status
- first-class
the highest status or quality
文法句型
second-class citizen
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'second-class citizen(s)' or similar expressions about social status.
常見錯誤
2. describing seats on a train, ship, or aircraft that cost less than first-class a
describing seats on a train, ship, or aircraft that cost less than first-class and offer basic rather than premium comforts
Tomás booked a second-class seat on the overnight train to Vienna.
collocation: second-class ticket
The airline upgraded Maeve from a second-class seat to business class at no extra charge.
Second-class cabins on the ferry have comfortable seating but no private bathroom.
Pedro found that second-class seats on the high-speed train were actually quite spacious.
- standard class
modern UK rail term for what was formerly called second class
- economy class
the equivalent term in air travel
- first-class
more expensive and more comfortable travel class
- business class
premium travel class on aircraft
文法句型
second-class ticket / seat / cabin
用法筆記
In UK rail travel, 'second class' has largely been replaced by 'standard class'. The term is still common for international train and ship travel.
常見錯誤
3. describing a UK postal service that is cheaper than first-class mail and takes l
describing a UK postal service that is cheaper than first-class mail and takes longer to arrive, usually two to five working days
Haruto used a second-class stamp for the birthday card to save on postage.
collocation: second-class stamp
Second-class mail in the UK takes two or three working days to arrive.
Jisoo stuck a second-class stamp on the letter and dropped it in the post box.
You can send larger parcels by second-class delivery for a significantly lower fee.
- standard mail
US term for a similar service; less specific to delivery speed
- first-class
faster and more expensive UK postal service
文法句型
second-class post / stamp / mail
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the British postal system. In other countries, similar services may be called 'bulk mail', 'standard mail', or 'economy post'.
4. describing a good degree result from British-style universities, ranking below f
describing a good degree result from British-style universities, ranking below first-class honours and split into upper and lower divisions
Eli graduated with an upper second-class degree in history from the University of Bristol.
collocation: upper second-class degree (2:1)
Many graduate jobs in the UK ask for at least a second-class honours degree.
Ravindra achieved a lower second-class degree and immediately began applying for entry-level roles.
A second-class degree is often enough to get into master's programmes at British universities.
- 2:1 (upper second)
the higher subdivision of a second-class degree
- 2:2 (lower second)
the lower subdivision of a second-class degree
- first-class degree
the highest degree classification
文法句型
second-class degree
second-class honours
用法筆記
British undergraduate degrees are classified: first-class (1st), upper second-class (2:1), lower second-class (2:2), and third-class (3rd). 'Second-class' without a qualifier usually refers to the range including both 2:1 and 2:2.
常見錯誤
5. not as good as expected; of noticeably lower quality compared to what is normal
not as good as expected; of noticeably lower quality compared to what is normal or acceptable
The hotel charged top prices but offered second-class service and dirty rooms.
Indra complained that the materials used in the new kitchen were of second-class quality.
pattern: of second-class quality
Critics described the film as a second-class attempt at a thriller with a weak plot.
Baraka refused to sell second-class products in his store, even though they cost less.
- mediocre
more formal; means neither very good nor very bad
- substandard
below the expected level; often implies failure to meet a standard
- inferior
broader meaning for lower quality or status
- first-class
of the highest quality
- premium
of superior quality, often used for products
文法句型
second-class + noun (product, service, attempt, etc.)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (INFERIOR STATUS): sense 1 is about how people are treated; sense 5 is about the quality of objects, services, or creative work.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The restaurant had a second-class service and I felt like a second-class citizen.' — These use different meanings. 'Second-class service' (sense 5 = poor quality) vs 'second-class citizen' (sense 1 = treated as less important).
second-class — adverb
1. travelling in the less expensive section or cabin of a train, ship, or aircraft,
travelling in the less expensive section or cabin of a train, ship, or aircraft, with basic seating and fewer comforts than first class
Lucas travelled second-class from Paris to Barcelona to keep the trip affordable.
When Yuki first moved to Europe, she always went second-class on the trains between cities.
The students flew second-class to save money for their accommodation once they arrived.
Eli travelled second-class and used the savings on the trip for sightseeing.
- standard class
modern UK rail term
- economy
the equivalent term for air travel
- first-class
travelling in the most expensive and comfortable section
文法句型
travel/go/fly second-class
用法筆記
Used as an adverb after verbs of motion (travel, go, fly, sail). In UK rail, 'standard class' is now the preferred term.
2. sending a letter or parcel using the cheaper and slower UK postal option
sending a letter or parcel using the cheaper and slower UK postal option
Salma sent the wedding invitations second-class because the date was still months away.
You can post that book second-class and it will still arrive within a week.
pattern: send/post something second-class
Jisoo always sends her bills second-class to reduce her monthly postal costs.
The company posted the catalogues second-class to keep shipping expenses low.
- first-class
sending mail by the faster and more expensive UK postal option
文法句型
send/post something second-class
用法筆記
This adverb is used only in British English. In American English, the equivalent concept is 'by standard mail' or 'by bulk mail'.
second-class — noun
1. the less expensive type of seating or accommodation on a train, ship, or aircraf
the less expensive type of seating or accommodation on a train, ship, or aircraft, offering basic comforts at a lower price than first-class
Indra booked two seats in second-class on the Edinburgh sleeper train for the weekend trip.
Passengers travelling in second-class can still order hot meals from the dining car.
pattern: in second-class
The fare difference between first-class and second-class on this route is surprisingly small.
Tomás prefers to ride in second-class because the atmosphere is more relaxed and friendly.
- standard class
modern UK rail term for second-class accommodation
- economy class
equivalent term for air travel
- first-class
the more expensive and comfortable travel option
文法句型
travel in second-class
book second-class
用法筆記
Uncountable: 'travel in second-class' (not 'a second-class'). In British rail, 'standard class' is now the official term, though 'second-class' is still widely understood.
常見錯誤
2. the slower and cheaper mail service in the UK, typically delivering letters with
the slower and cheaper mail service in the UK, typically delivering letters within two to five working days
Letters sent by second-class can take up to five days to arrive.
pattern: by second-class
Baraka posted the documents by second-class to avoid paying the expensive express delivery fee.
You can save money by sending your Christmas cards second-class.
Second-class in the UK postal system is still reliable, just a little slower than first-class.
- first-class
faster UK postal service
文法句型
send something by second-class
用法筆記
Used after 'by': 'send it by second-class'. As a noun it is uncountable — you cannot say 'a second-class' meaning the postal service.
3. the second highest group or level in a system of classification, ranking below o
the second highest group or level in a system of classification, ranking below only the top tier
The exam results were divided into first-class, second-class, and pass categories.
Haruto's score placed him in the second-class of the national certification exam.
pattern: in the second-class of [system]
The competition awarded gold medals to the top group and silver to the second-class.
Second-class products are still good but lack premium features.
- second tier
more common in modern business and tech contexts
- grade B
used in product quality ratings
- first-class
the top group or level in a classification system
文法句型
second-class in a classification
用法筆記
This is a general sense used across various classification systems (exams, competitions, product ratings). It is less common than the travel or mail senses.
4. a US and Canadian postal rate category for sending newspapers, magazines, and ot
a US and Canadian postal rate category for sending newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals to regular subscribers at a reduced cost
In the United States, magazines are typically mailed using second-class postal rates.
collocation: second-class postal rates
Newspapers sent by second-class periodicals delivery enjoy a special reduced postage rate.
The university library subscribed to academic journals that arrived via second-class mail.
Yuki learned that American magazines counted as second-class postage material eligible for lower rates.
文法句型
by second-class mail
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the US and Canadian postal systems and is rarely used outside professional publishing contexts.