Greek

1 of 2

noun

ˈgrēk 

1

a

: a native or inhabitant of ancient or modern Greece

b

: a person of Greek descent

2

a

: the language used by the Greeks from prehistoric times to the present constituting a branch of Indo-European see Indo-European Languages Table

b

: ancient Greek as used from the time of the earliest records to the end of the second century a.d. see Indo-European Languages Table

c

often not capitalized [translation of Latin Graecum (in the medieval phrase Graecum est; non potest legi It is Greek; it cannot be read)] : something unintelligible

it's Greek to me

3

: a member of a Greek-letter fraternity or sorority

Greek

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Greece, the Greeks, or Greek

Greek architecture

2

a

: eastern orthodox

b

: of or relating to an Eastern church using the Byzantine rite in Greek

c

: of or relating to the established Orthodox church of Greece

3

: of or relating to fraternities or sororities

the Greek system

Examples of Greek in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ultimate goal of our research is to address gaps in violence prevention by developing peer-education tools and resources tailored specifically for Greek Life. —Kyle Richard, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Related Articles Met Returns Greek Artifact to Italy After Researchers Find Links to Looting Maqdala Shield Will Be Repatriated to Ethiopia After Exhibition in Ohio The inhabitants of this museum are not people but objects brought to France via colonialist conquests. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Why is it Called the 'God of Chaos' Asteroid? Apophis is the ancient Greek name for the Egyptian god of chaos Apep. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

The book also features jewels that recall armor, and ones that are inspired by royals, popes, Greek myths and antiquity. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English Greke, from Old English Grēca, from Latin Graecus, from Greek Graikos

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Greek

• Greek Catholic
• Greek cross
• Greek fire
• Greek Orthodox
• Greek Revival
• Greek salad
• Late Greek
• Middle Greek
• Modern Greek

Kids Definition

Greek

noun

ˈgrēk

1

a

: a person born or living in Greece

b

: a person of Greek ancestry

2

: the Indo-European language of the Greeks

Greek adjective