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

Fortunately for local fans, these Kraftwerk dates include a stop in the Bay Area.. Kraftwerk, featuring electro music icon Ralf Hütter, performs April 18 at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. —Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

This technique, known as Anaphora in Greek, dates back to Aristotle during the fourth century B.C.E. and to Quintilian in Rome in the first century. —Jerry Weissman, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Other partners are the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, which presents the ERT Award of 2,000 Euros for a Greek project; and the Mediterranean Film Institute Script2Film, which grants the MFI Scholarship. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025

The ancient Greek poem is one of the foundational texts of Western literature. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025

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