Meaning & use
koine
Last updated
A common language or dialect that develops among speakers of different native languages or regional dialects, especially the common form of ancient Greek used across the Mediterranean world.
See it in a sentence
Koine Greek was the everyday language of the eastern Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period.
Linguists sometimes use 'koine' to describe any blended, widely shared dialect that emerges from dialect contact.
A note on using this word
Capitalized 'Koine' usually refers specifically to the form of Greek in which the New Testament was written; lowercase 'koine' can describe the same linguistic phenomenon in other languages.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “koine”, then compare your use with the examples above.