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 split at the time left the Eastern Orthodox Church, which includes the Greek, Romanian, Russian, Serbian and Orthodox churches. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2024

Besides the Hollywood Bowl, the Palladium and the Wiltern, venues include the Greek Theatre, Kia Forum, Dolby Theatre, Crytpo.com Arena, Orpheum Theatre, Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, the Improv and Largo. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 3 May 2024

Offering a wide variety of cuisine from Asian to Greek to Mexican, the rotating lineup of food trucks and pop-up carts from local restaurants are headed to Cadillac Square and the Woodward Esplanade. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 May 2024

For his Tiffany & Co. collection Williams looked at mythology, his own and the Greek’s, starting with a play on words related to his own personal history. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 3 May 2024

And that in itself was not a huge surprise, because of the scrolls that had been attempts made to open them and partially read, a lot of those scrolls were written in Greek and were philosophy works by Philodemus. —Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2024

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is expanding into the East Bay, with a franchise location now open in Danville and another coming soon to San Ramon. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2024

Even though Greece is a popular tourist destination, few people consider trying to learn Greek as part of their travels. —Karen I. Chen, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2022

The film was supported by the Greek Film Center, the NFF+HBF co-production scheme, CNC’s Aide au Cinéma du Monde, ZDF/Arte, ZDF/DKF and the Doha Film Institute. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024

Adjective

In 2002, a visitor lifted a twenty-five-hundred-year-old Greek head from a closed gallery. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

Pascha is the Greek word Eastern Orthodox Christians use to describe their Easter celebration. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2024

That’s my advice, Italian-style, to the Getty, which is facing calls from the European Court of Human Rights to return its priceless ancient Greek bronze sculpture to the Italians. —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 4 May 2024

Kick off your tour at the beloved institution Cinque Wine Bar, where co-owner and tireless advocate for Greek grapes, Evangelia Tseliou-Prassa welcomes guests with equal parts warmth and wine knowledge. —Annie B. Shapero, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2024

To make the lime crema, place the Greek yogurt in a small bowl. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2024

The majority of buyers have been Greek nationals, and the city is expected to house as many as 20,000 people in about 10,000 residencies within the next 13 years. —Eleni Chrepa, Fortune Europe, 4 May 2024

Meyer said members of UNC's Greek life community did not know the GoFundMe organizer before this week's events unfolded. —Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024

Two other cruises exploring the Greek isles, one currently underway and one set to sail in about a week, were both sold out. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 3 May 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