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

Some of his producing credits demonstrate his interest in a wide swath of genres, lending his expertise to such films as My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), The Ant Bully (2006), Mamma Mia! (2008), and the HBO series Big Love, through his production company Playtone. —Rachel Yang, EW.com, 9 July 2025

The property also has spectacular sunset views (with none of the crowds of Oia and its whitewashed Cycladic architecture promotes that quintessential Greek, indoor/outdoor flow, while showcasing the glittering Aegean Sea at every turn. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Adjective

The ship, flagged out of Liberia but owned by a Greek firm, likely had been targeted like the Magic Seas over its firm doing business with Israel. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 July 2025

Options that include low-fat or Greek yogurt to thicken the dressing would help keep this a relatively healthy selection.9 7. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 July 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

Rhymes for Greek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• leak

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