Words With Greek Origins

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300 Words

1 abacus A manual calculating tool made of a frame with rows of sliding beads, used to add, subtract, and perform other...
2 Abilene Of or relating to Abila
3 Abraham A prophet in the Old Testament, Qur'an and Aqdas; a Semitic patriarch son of Terah who practiced monotheism, f...
4 abyss A very deep, seemingly bottomless chasm or void.
5 Achilles The greatest warrior on the Greek side in Homer's Iliad, famous for his near-invulnerability except for his he...
6 Acme The highest point of achievement or development; the peak.
7 acne A skin condition, common in teenagers, causing spots and pimples from blocked and inflamed pores.
8 acoustic Relating to sound or the sense of hearing.
9 Acropolis A fortified hill at the center of an ancient Greek city, used as a defensive stronghold and often home to majo...
10 actin A protein that forms thin filaments inside cells, essential for muscle contraction and cell movement.
11 Adonis An extremely handsome young man.
12 Aegean Relating to the Aegean Sea, the body of water between Greece and Turkey, or the ancient civilizations around i...
13 aerial Happening in or relating to the air, especially from above.
14 aerodynamic Shaped to move through air with minimal resistance.
15 Aether An old term for the clear upper air thought to fill the sky above the clouds, later used in science for a hypo...
16 Agamemnon In Greek mythology, the king of Mycenae who led the Greek forces in the Trojan War.
17 Agatha A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "good."
18 Agnes A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "pure" or "chaste."
19 agnostic Believing it is impossible to know for certain whether God or gods exist.
20 agony Extreme physical pain or mental suffering.
21 agora An open public gathering place or marketplace in an ancient Greek city.
22 Agrippa A Latin family name (cognomen) borne by several notable Romans, including the statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrip...
23 air The mixture of gases that makes up Earth's atmosphere, which we breathe.
24 Ajax A hero of Greek mythology who fought in the Trojan War, known for his great strength.
25 Akron A city in northeastern Ohio, once the centre of the American rubber and tyre industry, and the county seat of...
26 alabaster A soft, fine-grained white or pale-tinted stone (a form of gypsum) often carved into ornaments and small sculp...
27 alchemy The early, part-mystical, part-scientific study that aimed to transform base metals into gold and find an elix...
28 Aleister A male given name, a rare variant of Alastair, most famously borne by the occultist Aleister Crowley.
29 Alex A unisex given name, most often used as a short form of Alexander or Alexandra.
30 Alexander A male given name of Ancient Greek origin, most famously borne by Alexander the Great.
31 Alexandra A female given name of Ancient Greek origin, the feminine form of Alexander.
32 Alexis A given name of Ancient Greek origin, used for both men and, since the mid-20th century, women.
33 Alistair A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, ultimately derived from Alexander.
34 allegory A story, picture, or other work whose characters and events stand for a deeper, often moral or political, mean...
35 allergy A condition in which the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, causing symptoms such as s...
36 allo Experiencing sexual and/or romantic attraction toward others, as opposed to being asexual or aromantic.
37 almond The edible seed of the almond tree, eaten as a nut, or the tree itself.
38 alms Money, food, or other help given to the poor as charity.
39 aloe A succulent plant, especially aloe vera, whose gel is used to soothe skin, or the plant genus itself.
40 Amazon A member of a legendary race of female warriors said to live near the Black Sea in Greek mythology.
41 ambo A raised platform or podium in a church used for readings, sermons, or homilies.
42 Ambrose A male given name of Ancient Greek origin, also used as a surname.
43 ambrosia In Greek mythology, the food or drink of the gods, said to grant immortality.
44 amethyst A purple or violet variety of quartz used as a gemstone.
45 amnesia A partial or total loss of memory, often caused by injury, illness, or trauma.
46 amnesty An official pardon granted by a government, especially to a group of people who committed a political offense.
47 amniotic Relating to the amnion, the fluid-filled sac that surrounds and protects a developing embryo.
48 amoeba A single-celled organism that moves and feeds by extending finger-like parts of itself called pseudopodia.
49 amphibian A cold-blooded animal, such as a frog or salamander, that typically starts life in water and can later live on...
50 amphibious Able to live, travel, or operate both on land and in water.
51 amphitheater A large, usually open-air, oval or round building with tiered seating around a central performance or arena ar...
52 analogy A comparison between two things to explain or clarify an idea, based on some shared feature.
53 analysis A careful, detailed examination of something in order to understand it or explain its parts.
54 anarchy A state in which there is no government or ruling authority.
55 Anastasia A female given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "resurrection".
56 anathema Something or someone intensely disliked or considered completely unacceptable.
57 Anatole A male given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "sunrise".
58 Anatolia The peninsula comprising most of modern Turkey, bounded by the Black, Aegean, and Mediterranean seas.
59 anatomy The scientific study of the structure of living things, especially their bodies.
60 anchor A heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place.
61 Andreas A male given name of Ancient Greek origin, the Latin form of Andrew, meaning "manly".
62 Andrew A masculine given name of Greek origin, meaning "manly" or "brave".
63 Andromeda A spiral galaxy in the constellation of the same name, and the nearest large galaxy to our own Milky Way.
64 anemia A condition in which the blood has too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin, leaving the body short of...
65 anemone A flowering plant of the buttercup family, such as the windflower, prized for its bright, delicate blooms.
66 anesthesia A medically induced state in which a patient cannot feel pain, used during surgery or other procedures.
67 anesthetic A drug used to stop pain or cause unconsciousness for a medical procedure.
68 aneurysm A dangerous bulge in the wall of a blood vessel, caused by a weak spot that swells under blood pressure.
69 Angela A feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "angel" or "messenger".
70 Ankara The capital city of Turkey.
71 anomalous Different from what is normal or expected; not fitting the usual pattern.
72 anomaly Something that deviates from what is normal or expected; an irregularity.
73 anonymity The state of not being known or identified by name.
74 anonymous Not identified by name; of unknown identity.
75 antagonism A strong feeling of hostility or opposition toward someone or something.
76 antagonize To provoke hostility in someone, often deliberately.
77 Antarctic Relating to Antarctica or the region around the South Pole.
78 Antares A huge, reddish star and one of the brightest in the night sky, marking the heart of the constellation Scorpiu...
79 Anthea A female given name of Greek origin, associated with blossoms and springtime.
80 anthrax A serious infectious disease, caused by a bacterium, that mainly affects livestock like cattle and sheep but c...
81 anthropology The scientific and scholarly study of human beings, covering culture, language, biology, and history.
82 antidote A substance that counteracts the effects of a poison.
83 Antigone In Greek mythology and tragedy, the daughter of Oedipus who defies a royal decree to bury her brother.
84 Antioch An ancient city in what is now southeastern Turkey, once a major capital of the Seleucid and later Roman and B...
85 aorta The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart out to the rest of the body.
86 apathy A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotion about something.
87 aphasia A loss of the ability to understand or produce language, usually caused by brain damage such as a stroke.
88 Aphrodite In Greek mythology, the goddess of love and beauty.
89 apnea A temporary pause or stopping of breathing, especially during sleep.
90 apocalypse A massive, catastrophic event causing widespread destruction; the end of the world.
91 apocalyptic Describing or resembling total, world-ending disaster.
92 apologetic Expressing regret or sorry for a mistake or fault.
93 apologize To say sorry; to express regret for a mistake or wrongdoing.
94 apology A statement expressing regret for a mistake or offense.
95 Apophis In Egyptian mythology, a giant serpent god of chaos who tries to destroy the sun each night.
96 apostle One of the twelve original followers of Jesus chosen to spread his teachings.
97 apostrophe The punctuation mark ( ' ) used to show possession or mark missing letters in a contraction.
98 appendectomy A surgical operation to remove the appendix.
99 Aramaic An ancient family of Semitic languages once used across the Near East, including the everyday language spoken...
100 Arcadia A mountainous region of ancient Greece, later used in literature as a symbol of unspoiled rural happiness.
101 archaeology The study of past human societies through the excavation and analysis of buildings, tools, and other physical...
102 archaic Old-fashioned or belonging to an earlier time; no longer in common use.
103 archangel An angel of high rank believed to lead other angels, such as Gabriel or Michael in Judeo-Christian tradition.
104 archbishop A senior bishop who leads an archdiocese and oversees several other dioceses.
105 archetype An original pattern or model that other similar things are based on or compared to.
106 Archimedes An ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, and engineer, famous for his work on levers, buoyancy, and geometry...
107 architect A professional who designs buildings and oversees their construction.
108 architectural Relating to architecture or the design of buildings.
109 Arctic Relating to the region around the North Pole.
110 argon A colourless, odourless chemical element (symbol Ar) that is an inert noble gas found in the atmosphere.
111 Argus A watchful guardian who misses nothing.
112 aristocracy The hereditary upper class of a society, typically holding titles and inherited privilege.
113 Aristotle A male given name, most famously borne by the ancient Greek philosopher (384-322 BCE) who was a student of Pla...
114 arithmetic The branch of mathematics dealing with basic operations on numbers: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and...
115 Armageddon A final, decisive battle on a massive scale, especially one imagined as ending the world.
116 aroma A distinctive, usually pleasant smell.
117 aromatic Having a strong, usually pleasant smell; fragrant or spicy.
118 arrhythmia An irregular or abnormal heartbeat, where the heart beats too fast, too slow, or unevenly.
119 arsenic A toxic grey chemical element, long associated with poisoning.
120 Artemis The Greek goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and the moon, sister of Apollo.
121 arthritis Painful inflammation and stiffness in one or more joints.
122 asbestos A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once widely used for fireproofing and insulation, now known to...
123 ascetic Practicing strict self-discipline and avoiding physical comforts or pleasures, often for spiritual reasons.
124 Asia The world's largest and most populous continent, stretching from the Ural Mountains and the Middle East in the...
125 asparagus A vegetable plant grown for its tender young shoots, eaten as food.
126 asphalt A thick, sticky black substance used mainly for surfacing roads, mixed with sand and gravel.
127 asphyxia A dangerous medical condition caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the body's tissues, which can lead to uncons...
128 aster A garden plant with daisy-like flowers, typically purple, pink, or white, that bloom in late summer and autumn...
129 asteroid A rocky body, smaller than a planet, that orbits the sun, mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
130 asthma A chronic condition in which the airways narrow and swell, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath...
131 astrology The belief system that studies the positions of stars and planets in order to predict human affairs or persona...
132 astronaut A person trained to travel and work in a spacecraft beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
133 asylum Protection given by a country to someone fleeing danger or persecution in their own country.
134 Athena Slang for a woman regarded as supporting or upholding patriarchal norms rather than opposing them.
135 Athens The capital city of Greece, and by extension its national government; also used as a place name for several to...
136 Atlantis A legendary island or continent said to have sunk beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
137 atlas A book of maps, often with extra tables, charts, or explanatory text.
138 atrophy The wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use.
139 atropine A powerful drug extracted from deadly nightshade and related plants, used in medicine to relax muscles, dry se...
140 Attica The region of Greece surrounding Athens; also used as a place name in the United States, notably the site of t...
141 atypical Not typical; different from what is usual or expected.
142 austere Plain, strict, and without luxury or decoration.
143 austerity Extreme plainness and self-discipline, with no luxuries.
144 auto (informal, especially US) A car; short for automobile.
145 autobiography An account of a person's life written by that person.
146 autograph A famous person's signature, especially one given to a fan as a keepsake.
147 Autolycus In Greek mythology, a cunning thief and son of Hermes, said to be able to change shape and disguise stolen goo...
148 automatically In a way that happens by itself, without a person having to control or think about it.
149 automaton A mechanical device built to carry out a fixed set of movements or instructions on its own.
150 autonomous Governing or managing itself without outside control.
151 autonomy The freedom to govern or manage oneself independently, without control from others.
152 azalea A flowering shrub, a type of rhododendron, prized for its brightly colored blossoms in spring.
153 bacteria Microscopic single-celled organisms, some helpful and some capable of causing disease.
154 bacterium A single microscopic organism made of one cell, lacking a nucleus, that belongs to the bacteria group.
155 barbarian Historically, someone from outside Greek or Roman civilization, viewed by the Greeks and Romans as uncivilized...
156 barbarism An act of extreme cruelty or savagery.
157 barge A large flat-bottomed boat used to carry heavy goods, typically on rivers or canals.
158 barometer An instrument that measures atmospheric pressure, often used to forecast weather.
159 Beelzebub A Canaanite deity worshipped at Ekron.
160 Berber A member of the indigenous peoples of North Africa, or their group of related languages.
161 Berenice A feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "bringer of victory", borne by several ancient queens.
162 Bernice A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, the biblical form of Berenice.
163 beryl A hard mineral, sometimes cut as a gemstone, that occurs in varieties such as emerald and aquamarine.
164 beta The second letter of the Greek alphabet.
165 Bethany A village near Jerusalem mentioned in the New Testament as the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
166 biochemical Relating to biochemistry, or to chemical processes that occur inside living organisms.
167 biography A written account of a person's life, usually published as a book.
168 biology The scientific study of living organisms and life processes.
169 biopsy A medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the body to be examined for disease.
170 biosphere The zone of the Earth's surface, water, and atmosphere where life exists.
171 bodega A small neighborhood convenience store, especially one common in cities that sells snacks, drinks, and everyda...
172 Bogdan A masculine given name common in Slavic languages, meaning "gift of God."
173 box A rigid container, typically rectangular, with a lid or flaps, used to hold or transport things.
174 brett Short for Brettanomyces, a type of yeast that can add funky, barnyard-like flavors to beer and wine.
175 Brexit The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, completed in 2020 after a 2016 referendum.
176 bronchitis Inflammation of the airways (bronchi) in the lungs, often causing coughing and difficulty breathing.
177 Bronte A surname, most famously borne by the English literary sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, also the nam...
178 bryony A climbing perennial plant with small flowers and berries, some varieties of which are toxic.
179 buffalo To intimidate, confuse, or trick someone, often to pressure them into doing something.
180 bulb The rounded glass part of an electric light that produces light when current passes through it.
181 bulimia An eating disorder marked by cycles of binge eating followed by purging, such as self-induced vomiting.
182 Byzantium The ancient city that became Constantinople and is now Istanbul.
183 cacophony A harsh mixture of loud, clashing sounds.
184 cactus A spiny, fleshy-stemmed plant, usually leafless, adapted to hot, dry desert climates.
185 Cadmus A Phoenician prince in Greek mythology, credited with founding Thebes and introducing the alphabet to Greece.
186 Calabria A region forming the "toe" of Italy's boot-shaped peninsula.
187 Calista A feminine given name derived from Latin, meaning "most beautiful."
188 calisthenics Exercises that use the body's own weight for resistance, such as push-ups, squats, and sit-ups.
189 calligraphy The art of decorative, stylized handwriting; also, writing produced in this style.
190 calliope A musical instrument made of steam whistles played from a keyboard, traditionally heard at fairgrounds and on...
191 Callisto A nymph of Artemis in Greek mythology, also the name of one of Jupiter's largest moons.
192 cane The tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.
193 cannabis The hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug.
194 cannon A large, mounted gun that fires heavy projectiles, historically used in warfare.
195 canopy A covering suspended or supported above something, such as a bed or entrance.
196 cardiac Relating to the heart.
197 cardiology The branch of medicine dealing with the heart and its diseases.
198 carotid Either of the two main arteries in the neck that carry blood up to the head and brain.
199 Cassandra In Greek myth, a Trojan princess gifted with true prophecy but cursed so no one would believe her.
200 Cassiopeia In Greek myth, the vain queen of Ethiopia whose boast about her beauty led to her being punished by Poseidon.
201 castor A small swivelling wheel fitted to the leg of a piece of furniture so it can be rolled.
202 cataclysm A sudden, violent event causing widespread destruction or upheaval.
203 catalogue An organised list of items, such as books, products, or artworks, often arranged alphabetically or by category...
204 catalyst In chemistry, a substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up itself.
205 catapult A device for hurling or launching objects, historically used as a weapon.
206 cataract A large waterfall, especially one that plunges over a steep drop.
207 catastrophe A sudden, large-scale disaster with severe consequences.
208 catechism A book that summarises the basic teachings of a religion, typically in question-and-answer form.
209 category A group or class into which things are sorted based on shared features.
210 catharsis A powerful release of pent-up emotion, often triggered by a dramatic experience like a film, book, or performa...
211 Catherine A feminine given name of Ancient Greek origin, one of the most enduring names in the English-speaking world.
212 catheter A thin flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluid, deliver medicine, or open a passage.
213 Catholic A member of the Roman Catholic Church or another Catholic denomination.
214 Caucasus A mountain range and surrounding region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, spanning Russia, Georgia, A...
215 cedar A large coniferous evergreen tree prized for its fragrant, durable wood.
216 celery A pale green vegetable with long crunchy stalks, eaten raw or cooked.
217 cemetery A place where the dead are buried; a graveyard.
218 centaur A creature from Greek mythology with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse.
219 ceramic Made from clay or a similar material hardened by intense heat.
220 Cerberus The three-headed dog of Greek mythology that guards the entrance to the underworld.
221 chameleon A lizard famous for changing the color of its skin to match its surroundings or mood.
222 chaos Complete disorder and confusion.
223 character A person portrayed in a book, film, play, or other story.
224 characteristic Typical of a particular person or thing; serving to identify it.
225 characterize To describe someone or something as having particular qualities.
226 charisma A compelling personal charm or magnetism that draws people in and inspires devotion or enthusiasm.
227 charismatic Having a compelling charm that attracts and inspires other people.
228 Charon In Greek mythology, the ferryman who carried the souls of the dead across the river Styx.
229 chasm A deep, steep-sided crack or gap in the earth.
230 chemistry The branch of science concerned with the composition, properties, and reactions of substances.
231 chemotherapy Medical treatment using drugs, especially to destroy or slow cancer cells.
232 cherry A small, round stone fruit, usually deep red, that grows on a tree of the genus Prunus.
233 chi The 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet, written Χ, χ.
234 chicory A blue-flowered plant whose leaves are eaten as a salad green and whose root is used to make a coffee substitu...
235 Chimera An organism, plan, or idea made up of very different or clashing parts, especially one that is unrealistic.
236 chiropractor A healthcare practitioner who treats problems of the spine and joints through manual adjustment.
237 Chloe A female given name of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "young green shoot."
238 chlorine A greenish, toxic gas element, widely used to disinfect water and as a bleaching agent.
239 chord Three or more musical notes played together in harmony.
240 choreography The art or practice of designing and arranging dance movements or sequences of staged movement.
241 chorus The part of a song that repeats after each verse, usually carrying the main hook.
242 Christ The title given to Jesus of Nazareth as the promised messiah in Christian belief.
243 chronological Arranged in the order in which events happened, from earliest to latest.
244 Chronos A measured, objective beat or rhythm of time, as distinct from subjective experience of it.
245 Cicely Sweet cicely, a fragrant herb with feathery leaves and an aniseed flavor, used in cooking.
246 cirrhosis A serious, long-term liver disease in which healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, often caused by alcohol...
247 Cleo A given name, often used as a short form of Cleopatra or Cleon.
248 Cleopatra A woman regarded as strikingly and seductively beautiful, in reference to the famous Egyptian queen.
249 Cletus A male given name of Greek origin, a short form of Anacletus.
250 climate The typical weather patterns of a region, measured over a long period of time.
251 climax The most intense, exciting, or important point in a story, event, or series of events.
252 cline A gradual change in a trait across a range of related populations or forms.
253 Clio A trophy statuette awarded at the Clio Awards, which honour creative excellence in advertising and design.
254 clitoris A small, highly sensitive erectile organ located at the front of the vulva in female mammals, including humans...
255 clone A living thing produced from a single ancestor so that it is genetically identical to it.
256 coccyx The small, triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed from fused vertebrae; the tailbone.
257 codeine A mild opioid painkiller derived from opium, also used to suppress coughs and help people sleep.
258 coliseum A large arena, stadium, or theatre used for sports, concerts, or big public events.
259 colostomy A surgical procedure that creates an opening from the colon to the surface of the abdomen, allowing waste to l...
260 coma A deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, usually caused by severe illne...
261 comatose In a coma; deeply and completely unconscious.
262 comedian A performer who entertains audiences with jokes and humor.
263 comedy A form of entertainment, especially a play, film, or performance, meant to amuse and often ending happily.
264 comet A small body of ice, dust, and rock that orbits the Sun and develops a glowing tail when it passes close enoug...
265 comma The punctuation mark ( , ) used to separate parts of a sentence or items in a list.
266 commonplace Ordinary; lacking anything unusual or noteworthy.
267 conch A large sea snail with a spiral shell, or the shell itself.
268 cone A solid shape with a circular base that narrows smoothly to a single point.
269 coral A hard, often colourful structure built by tiny marine animals, or the animals themselves, that forms reefs in...
270 Corinna A feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "maiden."
271 Corinne A female given name derived from the Ancient Greek word for "maiden" or "girl."
272 cos A long-leaved variety of lettuce, also called romaine.
273 cosmetic Relating to improving or enhancing appearance, especially of the skin or face.
274 cosmic Relating to the universe as a whole, especially outer space.
275 cosmology The scientific study of the origin, structure, and future of the universe.
276 cosmonaut An astronaut, especially one from Russia or the former Soviet Union.
277 cosmos The universe seen as an ordered, unified whole.
278 cranium The bony part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain.
279 Crete The largest Greek island, located in the eastern Mediterranean.
280 criminology The academic study of crime, criminals, and why crime happens.
281 crisis A time of intense difficulty, danger, or instability that demands urgent action.
282 criteria The plural of "criterion" — standards or requirements used to judge something.
283 criterion A single standard or rule used to judge or decide something.
284 Croatia A country in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, with its capital at Zagreb; formerly part of Yugosla...
285 crocodile A large predatory reptile with a long snout and powerful jaws that lives in rivers and lakes in warm climates.
286 cryogenic Relating to the production and effects of very low temperatures.
287 cryptic Having a hidden or puzzling meaning that is not immediately clear.
288 crystal A solid substance whose atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, often forming clear geometric shap...
289 cyber Relating to computers, the internet, or digital technology.
290 cybernetic Relating to cybernetics, the study of communication and automatic control in machines and living things.
291 cycle A series of events that repeats itself in the same order.
292 cyclone A large storm system with winds rotating around a centre of low atmospheric pressure.
293 cyclops A giant with a single eye in the middle of its forehead, from Greek and Roman mythology.
294 Cygnus A constellation in the northern sky said to resemble a swan, containing the bright stars Deneb and Albireo.
295 cylinder A solid or hollow object with straight parallel sides and a circular cross-section, like a tube or a can.
296 Cylon A male given name of historical usage in Ancient Greece, notably Cylon of Athens, who attempted a coup in the...
297 cymbal A round, flat metal plate that produces a sharp ringing crash when struck, used in drum kits and orchestras.
298 cynic A person who habitually expects the worst of people and doubts their sincerity or motives.
299 cynical Distrustful of people's sincerity, believing that self-interest is the real motive behind most actions.
300 cynicism A general distrust of people's sincerity, or the belief that self-interest drives most human behaviour.