German

¹Ger·man

noun \ˈjər-mən\

Definition of GERMAN

1

: a member of any of the Germanic peoples inhabiting western Europe in Roman times

2

a : a native or inhabitant of Germany b : a person of German descent c : one whose native language is German and who is a native of a country other than Germany

3

a : the Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland b : the literary and official language of Germany

4

often not capitalized a : a dance consisting of intricate figures that are improvised and intermingled with waltzes b chiefly Midland : a dancing party; specifically : one at which the german is danced

Origin of GERMAN

Middle English, from Medieval Latin Germanus, from Latin

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym

Rhymes with GERMAN

ermine, german, germen, Herman, sermon, vermin