hellenism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “hellenism” mean?
The adoption or imitation of ancient Greek culture, language, ideas, or style, especially following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The adoption or imitation of ancient Greek culture, language, ideas, or style, especially following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
The study or appreciation of Greek culture, language, or ideals; the character or spirit of Greek civilization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; capitalisation ('Hellenism' vs 'hellenism') is variable in both regions, with 'Hellenism' more common for the historical period.
Connotations
Equally scholarly in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency outside academic or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hellenism” in a Sentence
the Hellenism of [noun phrase]Hellenism in [geographical area]Hellenism during [time period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hellenism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No direct verb form.)
American English
- (No direct verb form.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form.)
American English
- (No adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- The Hellenistic period followed Alexander's conquests.
American English
- She studied Hellenistic art in her graduate program.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare.
Academic
Common in history, classics, art history, and cultural studies.
Everyday
Very rare.
Technical
Specific term in historical and philological discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hellenism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hellenism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hellenism”
- Misspelling as 'Helenism' (confusing with the name Helen).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'classical culture' without specifying its Greek character.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not exactly. Classicism is a broader admiration for the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. Hellenism is specifically focused on Greek language, culture, and ideas, especially their spread and influence.
'Hellenism' is the noun referring to the culture, influence, or ideology itself. 'Hellenistic' is the adjective, used to describe the historical period (c. 323–31 BCE) or things pertaining to the spread and blend of Greek culture.
Rarely. It is occasionally used to describe a modern admiration or revival of Greek ideals (e.g., in 19th-century architecture or philosophy), but its primary use is historical.
Commonly capitalised when referring specifically to the historical period or movement (Hellenism). Lowercase (hellenism) is also acceptable when referring to the general principle or quality. Consistency within a text is key.
The adoption or imitation of ancient Greek culture, language, ideas, or style, especially following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Hellenism is usually formal, academic in register.
Hellenism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛlɪnɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛləˌnɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None common; it is a technical term.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of HELLEN as in HELLENIC (Greek) + ISM (a system or practice). It's the 'Greek-ism'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURE IS A FORCE (Hellenism spread, its influence penetrated).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the word 'Hellenism'?