adj

Greek

greek

adj

Relating to Greece, its people, language, or culture.

"We tried a lovely Greek restaurant near the harbour."

name

The language spoken in Greece, in either its ancient or modern form.

"She studied Ancient Greek at university."

noun

A person from Greece or of Greek descent.

"His grandfather was a Greek who emigrated to Australia in the 1950s."

(informal) Something completely incomprehensible, especially unfamiliar language or jargon.

"The tax form might as well have been written in Greek."

How to Use Greek

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to Greece and its people or language, or informally used to mean "totally unintelligible."

Common mistake

"It's all Greek to me" is a fixed idiom meaning "I don't understand any of this" — it has nothing to do with the actual Greek language.

Common pairings

Greek to me Greek yogurt ancient Greek

Word Forms

Greeker comparative, greeked past tense, Greeks plural, Greeks plural, greeks singular, Greekest superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Greek” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

We tried a lovely _____ restaurant near the harbour.

Etymology

From Old English Grēcas ("Greeks"), ultimately from Latin Graecus — the name the Romans used, distinct from the Greeks' own name for themselves, Hellenes.

Synonyms

View more →

Grecian Greeke Hellene

Related Words

Grecian

Rhymes for Greek

eek week seek meek leek geek peek reek Zeek cheek creek sleek

See all rhymes for Greek →

People Also Searched

Grecian Greeke Hellene