Greek

play

noun \ ˈgrēk \

Definition of Greek

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

See Greek defined for English-language learners

See Greek defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of greek

Middle English Greke, from Old English Grēca, from Latin Graecus, from Greek Graikos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Greek

adjective

Definition of Greek

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

First Known Use of greek

14th century

GREEK Defined for English Language Learners

Greek

play

noun

Definition of Greek for English Language Learners

: a person born, raised, or living in Greece
: a person whose family is from Greece
: the language of the Greeks

GREEK Defined for Kids

Greek

play

noun \ ˈgrēk \

Definition of Greek for Students

1 :a person born or living in Greece

2 :the language of the Greeks

Greek

adjective

Definition of Greek for Students

:of or relating to Greece, its people, or the Greek language

Learn More about greek

See words that rhyme with Greek Spanish Central: Translation of Greek Nglish: Translation of Greek for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of Greek for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Greek? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

Greek

Definition of Greek

Origin and Etymology of greek

Greek

Definition of Greek

First Known Use of greek

GREEK Defined for English Language Learners

Greek

Definition of Greek for English Language Learners

GREEK Defined for Kids

Greek

Definition of Greek for Students

Greek

Definition of Greek for Students

Learn More about greek

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

legerity

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

Syn City

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

Greek

Definition of Greek

Explore Merriam-Webster

Origin and Etymology of greek

Greek

Definition of Greek

First Known Use of greek

GREEK Defined for English Language Learners

Greek

Definition of Greek for English Language Learners

GREEK Defined for Kids

Greek

Definition of Greek for Students

Greek

Definition of Greek for Students

Learn More about greek

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066