Greek
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for Greek, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to Greece, its people, language, or culture.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use Greek
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English Grēcas ("Greeks"), ultimately from Latin Graecus — the name the Romans used, distinct from the Greeks' own name for themselves, Hellenes.
Full origin of Greek →Frequently asked questions
What does “Greek” mean?
The word “Greek” means relating to Greece, its people, language, or culture. In plain terms, relating to Greece and its people or language, or informally used to mean "totally unintelligible.".
How do you pronounce “Greek”?
“Greek” is pronounced greek (/ɡɹiːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “Greek” in a sentence?
Here is “Greek” used in a sentence: “We tried a lovely Greek restaurant near the harbour.”
What is another word for “Greek”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Greek” include Grecian, Greeke and Hellene.
What part of speech is “Greek”?
Depending on how it is used, “Greek” can be an adjective, a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Greek” come from?
The word “Greek” comes from Latin. From Old English Grēcas ("Greeks"), ultimately from Latin Graecus — the name the Romans used, distinct from the Greeks' own name for themselves, Hellenes.
Is “Greek” a common word?
“Greek” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Greek” have?
“Greek” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Greece, its people, language, or culture.
What is the difference between 'Greek' and 'Grecian'?
'Greek' is the everyday, all-purpose word for anything to do with Greece: Greek food, the Greek language, Greek people. 'Grecian' is older and more poetic, and today it mostly describes style or appearance in the classical mould, like a Grecian urn, a Grecian nose, or Grecian columns. For nationality and language, always use 'Greek.'
What does 'it's all Greek to me' mean?
It is a common English idiom meaning 'I can't understand this at all.' The phrase treats Greek, with its unfamiliar alphabet, as a stand-in for anything baffling, whether dense jargon, technical writing, or a confusing explanation. It is light-hearted and says nothing negative about the Greek language itself.
Does 'Greek' describe a language, a people, or a culture?
All three, and more. As an adjective it links anything to Greece: the Greek language and its distinctive alphabet, Greek people and their history, and Greek culture from ancient mythology and philosophy to modern food like Greek salad and Greek yogurt. The single word stretches across nationality, tongue, and heritage.