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 attacker followed the unsuspecting victim up the steps of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York, and then jumped in front of her and knocked her down. —Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024

Other upcoming Greek Theatre shows include Sarah McLachlan (May 30), Tedeschi Trucks Band (May 31-June 1) and Bill Burr (June 8). —Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

Comedians will take the stage at iconic venues including Hollywood Bowl, The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, the Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as comedy clubs such as The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

The festival will take place across 35 Los Angeles’ landmark entertainment venues including The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, The Orpheum Theatre, The Wiltern, The Hollywood Improv, and Laugh Factory. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024

Some of the best high protein foods include lean meats like chicken, turkey, and beef, as well as seafood, Greek yogurt, lentils, and legumes. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

One of the most famous archaeological finds in history, the stone slab allowed scholars to decipher hieroglyphs for the first time, presenting the same statement in hieroglyphic script, Demotic and ancient Greek. —Kate McMahon, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Michael Costa had no experience cooking Greek, Turkish or Lebanese food when he was hired, in 2010, to begin what would be an 11-year run as Zaytinya’s head chef. —Marcela Valdes. Photographs and Videos By Peden + Munk, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

The Mad Greek of Charlotte Location: 5011 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217 The Mad Greek, a staple for decades in the city’s Greek and Mediterranean food scene that’s one of Charlotte’s Classic Eats, will be open for Easter with no reservations. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2024

Adjective

The frescoes show, for example, Helen of Troy and Paris, who’s identifiable thanks to an inscription of his Greek name, Alexandros. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024

In 1992, in a Greek restaurant in Berlin, agents of the Islamic Republic killed Sadegh Sharafkandi, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran alongside three of his associates. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

From a pop culture convention in Livonia with celebrity meet and greets to a lively downtown celebration of Greek culture, metro Detroit promises a vibrant array of events this weekend. —Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024

In Greek mythology, Paris’ abduction of Helen from her Greek husband, Menelaus, led to the Trojan War. —Amarachi Orie, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

The Greek auteur has again put together a jaw-dropping supporting cast, including Poor Things alums Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley, alongside Jesse Plemons, Hunter Schafer, Joe Alwyn, Hong Chao and Mamoudou Athie. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024

Image Image The couples include Helen of Troy and Paris, who is identified in the scene with a Greek inscription by his other name, Alexandros, while a panel on the same wall shows Helen’s parents: Leda, queen of Sparta, and Zeus, depicted as the swan who seduced her. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

The codex features Coptic script, an Egyptian language written in the Greek alphabet primarily used by Christians. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

In fact, for certain destinations around the globe, beer and cheese is the celebrated pairing of happy hour, like a perfect pint with a saison with Herve in Bruges, a pale lager with aged gouda in Amsterdam, or a Greek pilsner with feta cheese in Argos. —Jillian Dara, Forbes, 30 Mar. 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