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 greek [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

An ancient Greek from thousands and thousands of years ago, looking up and building a story around, well, what does this mean? — Luke Kemp, Space.com, 18 June 2026

Venture farther down the street for a global culinary journey at places like Uptown Keese’s Greek & Mediterranean Food, Basilic Vietnamese Grill, and Ciao Ammore Trattoria. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

Adjective

Since launching in 2022, Twisted Greek has become a favorite at Southwest Ohio food festivals for its twisted takes on traditional Greek cuisine. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Named for the Greek goddess of dawn, Eos Garden is now open at the Water Pump House, a native coral rock and Dade slash pine house built in 1923. — Connie Ogle june 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026

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