A plate of German food.
- The definition of German is relating to the culture of Germany.
An example of German used as an adjective is German food, such as weiner schnitzel.
- The definition of a German is a person from Germany, a person who has ancestors from Germany, or any of the West Germanic languages.
- An example of a German is Heidi Klum.
- An example of German is standard High German.
- having the same parents: a brother-german
- having the same grandparents on either the father's side or the mother's: a cousin-german is a first cousin
Origin of germanMiddle English germain, german from Old French germain from Classical Latin germanus, akin to germen, a sprout, germ
- a person born or living in Germany
- the West Germanic language spoken chiefly in Germany, Austria, and certain parts of Switzerland, technically called New High German
- a complicated dance for many couples in which partners are changed often
- a party at which the german is danced
Origin of GermanMiddle English (only in plural ) from Medieval Latin Germanus from L, probably from Celtic
- An intricate dance for many couples.
- A party for dancing at which this dance is featured.
Origin of germanShort for German cotillion
Origin of germanMiddle English germain from Old French from Latin germānus from germen offshoot ; see genə- in Indo-European roots.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of Germany or its people.
- Of or relating to the German language.
- a. A native or inhabitant of Germany.b. A person of German ancestry.
- Any of the West Germanic languages and dialects spoken or originating in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, especially standard High German.
Origin of GermanMiddle English from Latin Germānus
(comparative more german, superlative most german)
- 1602, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, V.2:
- The phrase would bee more Germaine.
- Wert thou a leopard, thou wert german to the lion.
- (obsolete) A near relative.
From German (“of Germany”).
(comparative more German, superlative most German)
- Of or relating to the nation of Germany.
- Of or relating to the natives or inhabitants of Germany; to people of German descent.
- Her German husband has blond hair.
- Of, in or relating to the German language.
- We take German classes twice a week.
- Because the instructions were German, Yves couldn't read them.
Not related to the Latin adjective germānus (whence the English words german and germane, through Old French). Attested since at least 1520. Replaced the older terms Almain and Dutch in English.