Grecian

adjective

Gre·​cian ˈgrē-shən How to pronounce Grecian (audio)
: greek sense 1
specifically : being or resembling that of ancient Greece or the ancient Greeks
Grecian ruins
a Grecian urn/statue
Grecian gods/goddesses
Grecian motifs
… a charming town that dates from the Grecian period. Lizzie Porter
The mall had … a cafe with Grecian plaster columns … Monica Dux
… [Marie-Thérèse] Walter is recognizable [in Pablo Picasso's art] by … her classical Grecian profile … Jerry Saltz
Grecian noun
plural Grecians
archaic
'Was this fair face the cause' quoth she / 'Why the Grecians sacked Troy? …' William Shakespeare
grecianize transitive verb
or Grecianize
grecianized or Grecianized; grecianizing or Grecianizing; grecianizes or Grecianizes
The establishment of the Roman court at Constantinople tended rather to Latinize the Greeks, than to Grecianize the Latins … The New-York Quarterly

Examples of Grecian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At the 2024 Golden Globes, The Bear’s Abby Elliott channeled Grecian goddess glamour in an asymmetrical black gown, inspired by Frank Gehry’s architecture, and singer Tinashe glowed in a striking beaded corset gown. Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024 Jasper Grecian collar Sophie Bille Brahe, designer and owner of Sophie Bille Brahe Photo: Courtesy of Sophie Bille Brahe My sister-in-law, Caroline Bille Brahe, designs upcycled denim jackets. Talia Abbas, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024 Everyone loves a Grecian yarn, and Michaelides who hails from Cyprus, is particularly influenced by his homeland. EW.com, 17 Jan. 2024 Founded in 1997, Grecian developer Temes opened the first of its five luxury resorts in 2010 and has helped to elevate Costa Navarino. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 July 2023 Coming after decades of graceful nymphs, stately ladies, and shapely Grecian goddesses, Clotho is exhilarating because of its utter indifference to the male gaze. Farah Peterson, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2023 Lands’ End swimsuits are also on sale, like the Grecian one-piece made with UPF 50+ fabric, sculpting design, and a soft cup bra for coverage and support. Lauren Fischer, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023 Helen Mirren’s Glossy Locks Hairstylist Sheridan Ward said this look was inspired by a Grecian goddess. Meg Hemphill, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2024 The small kitchen was expanded and opened up by using simple shelving, paneled appliances, and Sherwin Williams’ Grecian White paint. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Grecian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English greciane, ultimately from Latin Graecia Greece

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Grecian was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near Grecian

Cite this Entry

“Grecian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Grecian. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Grecian

adjective
Gre·​cian ˈgrē-shən How to pronounce Grecian (audio)
: greek
Grecian noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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