This page lists 33 Greek words that start with X, running alphabetically from “Xenos” to “Xenios Dias”. The list mixes everyday nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs with place names, historical figures and a few borrowed English terms. You can use it to pick up useful vocabulary for travel, conversation and reading, or to trace where English words like “xenophobia” and “xylophone” come from.
Greek words are the terms used in the Greek language, which has been written and spoken for more than 3,000 years. Few languages shaped English as much, and “xenos,” meaning stranger or guest, gave us “xenophobia” and echoes the old custom of “xenia,” or hospitality.
Below you’ll find the table with the word, English translation, part of speech, example usage and description for each entry.
Word: The Greek word written in Latin letters, so you can read and say it without knowing the Greek alphabet.
English translation: The closest English meaning, so you can quickly understand what each word stands for and use it correctly in your own sentences.
Part of speech: Shows whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective or adverb, which helps you see how it fits into a sentence.
Example usage: A short Greek sentence with its English translation, so you can see the word in a real situation and copy the pattern.
Description: A brief note on the word’s background, common uses or cultural meaning, giving you context that makes the word easier to remember.
Greek words
| Word | English translation | Part of speech | Example usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xenos | stranger, foreigner, guest | Noun / adjective | O xenos ine sto spiti mas. (The guest is in our house.) |
| Xenia | hospitality | Noun | I xenia ton Ellinon ine fimismeni. (The hospitality of Greeks is famous.) |
| Xenodocheio | hotel | Noun | Kratisame domatio sto xenodocheio. (We booked a room at the hotel.) |
| Xenagos | tour guide | Noun | O xenagos mas edixe tin Akropoli. (The guide showed us the Acropolis.) |
| Xenitia | life abroad, exile | Noun | Ziei stin xenitia ennea chronia. (He has lived abroad for nine years.) |
| Xenos topos | foreign land | Noun phrase | Taxidevei se xeno topo. (He is travelling to a foreign land.) |
| Xenofovia | xenophobia | Noun | I xenofovia den echei thesi edo. (Xenophobia has no place here.) |
| Xenyhti | all-nighter, late night out | Noun | Kaname xenyhti gia tis exetaseis. (We pulled an all-nighter for the exams.) |
| Xylo | wood, a beating | Noun | To trapezi ine apo xylo. (The table is made of wood.) |
| Xylofono | xylophone | Noun | To paidi paizei xylofono. (The child plays the xylophone.) |
| Xylokastro | wooden castle | Proper noun | Xekourastikame sto Xylokastro. (We relaxed in Xylokastro.) |
| Xeros | dry | Adjective | O kairos ine xeros simera. (The weather is dry today.) |
| Xero | I know | Verb | Den xero pou ine. (I don’t know where it is.) |
| Xana | again | Adverb | Pame xana sto magazi. (Let’s go to the shop again.) |
| Xafnika | suddenly | Adverb | Xafnika arxise i vrochi. (Suddenly the rain began.) |
| Xekinao | I start, I set off | Verb | Xekinaei i parastasi. (The show is starting.) |
| Xechno | I forget | Verb | Xechasa ta kleidia mou. (I forgot my keys.) |
| Xypno | I wake up | Verb | Xypnao noris to proi. (I wake up early in the morning.) |
| Xekourazomai | I rest | Verb | Thelo na xekourastho meta tin douleia. (I want to rest after work.) |
| Xodevo | I spend (money) | Verb | Xodepsa poly stis diakopes. (I spent a lot on holiday.) |
| Xanthos | blond | Adjective | Echei xantha malia. (She has blond hair.) |
| Xanthi | blonde, a city name | Noun / proper noun | Tha episkeftoume tin Xanthi. (We will visit Xanthi.) |
| Xadelfos | cousin | Noun | O xadelfos mou meni stin Athina. (My cousin lives in Athens.) |
| Xifos | sword | Noun | O stratiotis eperne to xifos. (The soldier took the sword.) |
| Xifias | swordfish | Noun | Efagame xifia sti schara. (We ate swordfish on the grill.) |
| Xydi | vinegar | Noun | Valte ligo xydi stin salata. (Add a little vinegar to the salad.) |
| Xino | sour | Adjective | To lemoni ine poly xino. (The lemon is very sour.) |
| Xyrafi | razor | Noun | Echo neo xyrafi. (I have a new razor.) |
| Xypolitos | barefoot | Adjective | Perpatouse xypolitos stin ammo. (He walked barefoot on the sand.) |
| Xekatharo | clearly, plainly | Adverb | Mou to eipe xekathara. (He told me clearly.) |
| Xerxis | Xerxes | Proper noun | O Xerxis eishvale stin Ellada. (Xerxes invaded Greece.) |
| Xenofon | Xenophon | Proper noun | O Xenofon egrapse tin Anavasi. (Xenophon wrote the Anabasis.) |
| Xenios Dias | Zeus, protector of guests | Proper noun phrase | O Xenios Dias prostatevei tous xenous. (Zeus Xenios protects strangers.) |
Descriptions
Xenos
One of the oldest Greek words, covering both “foreigner” and “guest.” It shows how ancient Greeks tied strangers to hospitality, and it is the root of English words like xenophobia.
Xenia
The ancient Greek custom of welcoming and protecting guests, believed to be watched over by Zeus. Modern Greek still uses it for warm, generous hosting.
Xenodocheio
The everyday Modern Greek word for a hotel. It literally means a place that receives strangers, combining xenos with the idea of welcoming.
Xenagos
Someone who shows visitors around sights and ruins. You will meet one at nearly every major archaeological site in Greece.
Xenitia
A word loaded with feeling, describing life away from one’s homeland. It shows up often in Greek folk songs about emigrants longing for home.
Xenos topos
A phrase for any place that is not home. Greek folk songs use it for the pain of being far from family.
Xenofovia
The fear or dislike of foreigners. English borrowed it directly from Greek, joining xenos (stranger) and phobos (fear).
Xenyhti
Staying awake through the night, whether for fun, work or study. Greeks also use it for a long night of dining and music.
Xylo
The basic word for wood. In casual speech it also means a beating, as in “efage xylo,” meaning he got beaten up.
Xylofono
The musical instrument made of wooden bars, named from xylo (wood) and phone (sound). The word passed into English almost unchanged.
Xylokastro
A seaside town in the Peloponnese, known for pine forests and pebble beaches. Its name literally means “wooden castle.”
Xeros
The standard word for dry, as in dry climate or dry wine. It gives English the prefix “xero-,” seen in words like xerophyte.
Xero
One of the most common Greek verbs, used for facts and information. A beginner will hear it constantly in everyday conversation.
Xana
A short, handy word for “again.” Greeks often attach it to verbs, so “xanagrafo” means “I write again.”
Xafnika
Used when something happens without warning. It appears constantly in stories and day-to-day talk.
Xekinao
Means to begin something or to set out on a trip. You will hear it at stations, at the start of films and in plans for the day.
Xechno
A very common verb, useful for apologies. Its past form “xechasa” is a handy phrase for beginners.
Xypno
Means to wake up, or to wake someone else. It also describes alertness, as in “xypnos,” meaning sharp or clever.
Xekourazomai
Used for relaxing after effort, whether a day’s work or a long hike. It is one of the more useful words for holidays.
Xodevo
The usual verb for spending money or using up resources. It is common when talking about shopping, travel and bills.
Xanthos
Describes fair or golden hair. In myth, heroes such as Menelaus are called “xanthos.” The name also belongs to a river and a city in ancient Lycia.
Xanthi
As a name it refers to a city in northern Greece known for its old town and carnival. As a word it is the feminine form of “blond.”
Xadelfos
The Greek word for a male cousin, with the feminine “xadelfi.” It comes up often because Greek families are large and close.
Xifos
An old Greek word for sword, used by Homer. Today it also names the swordfish, “xifias,” and the sword on some coats of arms.
Xifias
A popular fish in Greek seafood tavernas, named for its long sword-like bill. The word comes from xifos, the Greek word for sword.
Xydi
The everyday word for vinegar, found in dressings and pickles. Greek cooks often use red wine vinegar.
Xino
Describes sour or tart tastes, like lemons or unripe fruit. “Xinogalo” is a sour milk product, like soured yogurt.
Xyrafi
The Greek word for a razor, tied to the verb “xyrizo,” meaning to shave. It is a plain everyday word.
Xypolitos
Used for going without shoes. You will hear it on Greek beaches, or when a parent scolds a child running around the house.
Xekatharo
Used when something is said straight, with no confusion. It is common in conversations about plans and rules.
Xerxis
The Persian king who led the huge invasion of Greece in 480 BC, the one that led to Thermopylae and Salamis. Greek writers such as Herodotus made his story famous.
Xenofon
An ancient Athenian soldier and writer, a student of Socrates. His best-known work tells how 10,000 Greek mercenaries marched home through Persia.
Xenios Dias
A title of Zeus as the god of hospitality, guarding travellers and the rules between hosts and guests. Mistreating a guest was said to anger him.