Greek

[ greek ]

/ grik /

Save This Word!

adjective

of or relating to Greece, the Greeks, or their language.

pertaining to the Greek Orthodox Church.

noting or pertaining to the alphabetical script derived from a Semitic form of writing, employing some letters that originally represented consonants for use as vowel sounds, which was used from about the beginning of the first millennium b.c. for the writing of Greek, and from which the Latin, Cyrillic, and other alphabets were derived.

noun

a native or inhabitant of Greece.

the language of the ancient Greeks and any of the languages that have developed from it, as Hellenistic Greek, Biblical Greek, the Koine, and Modern Greek. Abbreviation: Gk, Gk.

Informal. anything unintelligible, as speech, writing, etc.: This contract is all Greek to me.

a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Hellenic (def. 3).

a person who belongs to a Greek-letter fraternity or sorority.

Archaic: Usually Offensive. a cheater, especially one who cheats at cards.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Greek

before 900; Middle English; Old English Grēcas (plural) <Latin Graecī the Greeks (nominative plural of Graecus) <Greek Graikoí, plural of GraikósGreek

usage note for Greek

The noun Greek in its archaic meaning of “cheater” is usually perceived as insulting to or by Greeks.

OTHER WORDS FROM Greek

Greekdom, nounGreekish, adjectiveanti-Greek, adjective, nounhalf-Greek, adjective

non-Greek, adjective, nounpre-Greek, adjective, nounpro-Greek, adjective, nounpseudo-Greek, adjective, nounquasi-Greek, adjective

Words nearby Greek

Greece, greed, greedy, greedy guts, greegree, Greek, Greek alphabet, Greek calends, Greek Catholic, Greek Church, Greek cross

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Greek in a sentence

In Greek mythology, the species became associated with numerous gods.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Greek embassy confirmed the death, which has barely registered by the international press.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That distant whirring sound you hear is a long-dead Greek physician spinning in his grave.
Why So Many Surgeons Are Psychos|Russell Saunders|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1984, gay men were not openly accepted in Southern Greek culture.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The root of the word irony is in the Greek eironeia, “liar.”
Up to a Point: They Made Me Write About Lena Dunham|P. J. O’Rourke|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
John of Damascus, an important Greek theologian of the eighth century, often cited by Thomas.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor
The Greek character will now become easy to decipher; and the evening papers may take King Otho both off the throne and on.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Just got a telegram saying that M. Venezelos has gained a big majority in the Greek Election.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
The fact that the earth was globular in form was understood by the Greek men of science.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
In Greek especially she was proficient, and Plato was to her more interesting than any story book.
The Childhood of Distinguished Women|Selina A. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for Greek

Greek

/ (ɡriːk) /

noun

the official language of Greece, constituting the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languagesSee Ancient Greek, Late Greek, Medieval Greek, Modern Greek

a native or inhabitant of Greece or a descendant of such a native

a member of the Greek Orthodox Church

informal anything incomprehensible (esp in the phrase it's (all) Greek to me)

Greek meets Greek equals meet

adjective

denoting, relating to, or characteristic of Greece, the Greeks, or the Greek language; Hellenic

of, relating to, or designating the Greek Orthodox Church

Derived forms of Greek

Greekness, noun

Word Origin for Greek

from Old English Grēcas (plural), or Latin Graecus, from Greek Graikos

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012