Grecian

adjective

Gre·​cian ˈgrē-shən 

: greek sense 1

specifically : being or resembling that of ancient Greece or the ancient Greeks

Grecian ruins

a Grecian urn/statue

Grecian gods/goddesses

Grecian motifs

… a charming town that dates from the Grecian period.

—Lizzie Porter

The mall had … a cafe with Grecian plaster columns …

—Monica Dux

… [Marie-Thérèse] Walter is recognizable [in Pablo Picasso's art] by … her classical Grecian profile …

—Jerry Saltz

Grecian noun

plural Grecians

archaic

'Was this fair face the cause' quoth she / 'Why the Grecians sacked Troy? …'

—William Shakespeare

grecianize

ˈgrē-shə-ˌnīz 

transitive verb

or Grecianize

grecianized or Grecianized; grecianizing or Grecianizing; grecianizes or Grecianizes

The establishment of the Roman court at Constantinople tended rather to Latinize the Greeks, than to Grecianize the Latins …

—The New-York Quarterly

Examples of Grecian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Our couples’ Grecian honeymoon is so intense that Demi and Ollie almost jump ship (more on that later), and things spiral from there. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024

The result is a beautiful representation of the time in almost classical Grecian proportions, yet suffused with Teutonic strength. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024

The model recalled a Grecian goddess in her white Alaïa gown from the brand’s 2024 summer-fall collection, which featured side cutouts. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 28 Sep. 2024

Founded by Greeks around 734 B.C. Ortigia was called ‘the greatest and most beautiful of all Grecian cities’ by Cicero. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English greciane, ultimately from Latin Graecia Greece

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Grecian

adjective

Gre·​cian ˈgrē-shən 

: greek

Grecian noun