Frankish

1 of 2

adjective

Frank·​ish ˈfraŋ-kish 

: of or relating to the Franks

Frankish

2 of 2

noun

: the Germanic language of the Franks

Examples of Frankish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The shows span 1,400 years of French history, from the reign of the sixth-century Frankish king Clovis I to the Nazi occupation. — Nat Segnit, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

The relationship between these two powers shifted decisively in the year 800, when Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne, a Frankish king, emperor on Christmas Day. — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026

Named after the Frankish noble family that included Charles Martel and his grandson Charlemagne, the Carolingian era was a transformative time in medieval Europe, where power was consolidated and regional cultures began to blend. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026

The novel describes souls who, in the wheel of time, inhabit the Frankish king Clovis’ horse, or a bedbug that fed on Napoleon. — Nicholas Dames, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

The cemetery also holds foreign objects like Scandinavian and Frankish grave goods, which researchers say reflect a changing political landscape in fifth- and sixth-century England. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Medieval folklore has immortalized the story of Roland, the Frankish hero who fought under Charlemagne, and Durandal, his indestructible sword. — Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2024

Noun

The works of Daniel Dennett and Keith Frankish are often cited in support of this view. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 22 Feb. 2026

The original Creep cinematographer Danny Cohen and the production designer from the first film, John Frankish are also on board for the new movie. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025

During the medieval period, Athens fell under Frankish, Catalan and Venetian rule before finally succumbing to the Ottomans in 1458. — Demetrios Ioannou, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Aug. 2024

Researchers say these details suggest the item’s owners were connected to the Merovingians, a Frankish dynasty that ruled over a significant portion of Western Europe between the fifth and eighth centuries, per Live Science’s Jennifer Nalewicki. — Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

The Merovingians were a royal family who ruled modern-day France, Belgium and Germany under what was then known as the Frankish Kingdom. — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above