adj
Grecian
GREESHN
Grecian (adj) means relating to Greece or ancient Greek style, especially in art and architecture. Example: “The museum entrance features tall Grecian columns.”
adj
1
Relating to Greece or ancient Greek style, especially in art and architecture.
"He was a young man with a scornful mouth and the bright blue eyes of a healthy baby set in a dark sensitive face. His hair was pitch black, damp and curly—the hair of a Grecian statue gone brunette."
— F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Offshore Pirate (1920)
"The museum entrance features tall Grecian columns."
"Chlorine blue, bordered in forest green and looking out onto a Grecian gazebo, the pool was composed of hundreds of ceramic kitchen tiles, like a Minecraft version of C.Z. Guest’s once-upon-a-time world."
— Vanessa Friedman, New York Fashion Week Comes to Life With Thom Browne and Proenza Schouler (2016)
noun
1
(dated) A native or inhabitant of Greece.
"The old travel guide referred to the locals simply as Grecians."
How to use Grecian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly old-fashioned way of saying "Greek," most often used today to describe classical-style architecture or design.
When to use it
In modern English, "Greek" is the standard word for people; "Grecian" survives mainly in phrases like "Grecian columns" or "Grecian nose."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Grecians
Fill the gap
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The museum entrance features tall _____ columns.
Etymology
From Latin Graecia ("Greece") plus the adjective suffix -an, reaching English via Old French grecien.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Grecian
See all rhymes for Grecian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Grecian” mean?
The word “Grecian” means relating to Greece or ancient Greek style, especially in art and architecture. In plain terms, a slightly old-fashioned way of saying "Greek," most often used today to describe classical-style architecture or design.
How do you pronounce “Grecian”?
“Grecian” is pronounced GREESHN (/ˈɡɹiːʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “Grecian” in a sentence?
Here is “Grecian” used in a sentence: “The museum entrance features tall Grecian columns.”
What part of speech is “Grecian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Grecian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Grecian” come from?
The word “Grecian” comes from Latin. From Latin Graecia ("Greece") plus the adjective suffix -an, reaching English via Old French grecien.
How many meanings does “Grecian” have?
“Grecian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Greece or ancient Greek style, especially in art and architecture.
