Greek

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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

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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 dig, which began in early October, took place on a site around five miles southwest of present-day Aigio—a town on the Peloponnese peninsula, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced in a statement. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Known for its pageantry and cultural significance, the Classic features a series of events that celebrate Black excellence, including the famed Battle of the Bands and Greek Show, where both schools’ marching bands and step teams showcase their talents in a high-energy competition. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 11 Dec. 2024

Adjective

The small asteroid, which is little more than 3 miles in diameter, approaches so close to the sun that it was named for the son of the sun-god Helios, who in Greek mythology lost control of his father's chariot and set the Earth ablaze. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

The first series of Olivia Attwood’s Bad Boyfriends saw eight boys travel to a Greek island under the premise of filming a series about manhood and bromance. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 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