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 other two signings in the current window are rich in unproven promise — 18-year-old Greek forward Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos in Greece (over £31m including add-ons) and 19-year-old former Sunderland winger Tommy Watson (£10m). —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025

While eggplant grills, prepare Greek Couscous. Place 2 eggplant slices on each of 4 plates. —Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Edu’s remit extends to the other clubs owned by Forest president Evangelos Marinakis — Greek team Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave — and is expected to have responsibility for adding to the collection of clubs and growing Marinakis’ operation. —Sam Joseph, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

The setting is a sunny Greek isle, and the central character, Donna, is a free-spirited single mother who owns and operates a taverna there. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 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