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 inscription is in Latin, which is unusual for the era, as similar amulet scrolls were usually written in Greek or Hebrew, Scholz says in the statement. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

Origin: Greek Meaning: Pearl Alternative Spellings & Variations: Marguerite Ruth Ruth was a super-popular pick in the 1920s and has been climbing the ranks again as of late; it’s currently ranked at 187 on the Social Security Popular Baby Names list. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 19 Dec. 2024

Adjective

The holiday commemorates how in 164 B.C.E., oil meant to go out after just one night went on to last eight nights during the rededication of the Jerusalem temple following the Maccabees Jews’ victory over their Syrian Greek oppressors. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024

Director Christopher Nolan's next movie has officially been revealed as The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem about Odysseus' long journey home after the Trojan War. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Dec. 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