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

Three expansive villas offer a private oasis for families or groups, ranging from four to nine bedrooms; all feature smooth Grecian marble and high-end amenities from Diptyque and Dyson. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2024

Colman does career-best work as a woman who encounters an extended family while on a Grecian vacation. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Feb. 2024

From a breathtaking Las Vegas sunrise waterfall oasis to a luxe Grecian pool with a 180-degree valley view in L.A., the possibilities are bountiful. —Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 17 May 2024

Its Neoclassical architecture evokes the same humbling, powerful motifs as the U.K. gallery, with a similar Grecian portico, central cupola and extended wings. —Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024

For the Met Gala, Hemsworth and his wife, Elsa Pataky, hit the red carpet with a similar Grecian god energy, this time with a softer side. —Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 6 May 2024

At the 2024 Golden Globes, The Bear’s Abby Elliott channeled Grecian goddess glamour in an asymmetrical black gown, inspired by Frank Gehry’s architecture, and singer Tinashe glowed in a striking beaded corset gown. —Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024

Jasper Grecian collar Sophie Bille Brahe, designer and owner of Sophie Bille Brahe Photo: Courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe My sister-in-law, Caroline Bille Brahe, designs upcycled denim jackets. —Talia Abbas, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024

Everyone loves a Grecian yarn, and Michaelides who hails from Cyprus, is particularly influenced by his homeland. —EW.com, 17 Jan. 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