Germanic

1 of 2

adjective

Ger·​man·​ic (ˌ)jər-ˈma-nik 

1

: german

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Germanic-speaking peoples

3

: of, relating to, or constituting Germanic

Germanic

2 of 2

noun

: a branch of the Indo-European language family containing English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, the Scandinavian languages, and Gothic see Indo-European Languages Table

Examples of Germanic in a Sentence

Adjective

Germanic languages, such as German, English, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The font used for the names and numbers of players is inspired by runic writing — characters in several Germanic alphabets used in northern Europe from ancient times until the adoption of the Latin alphabet. — Steve Douglas, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

The age of the Germanic male genius delivering edicts from on high has run its course. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Noun

Departments focused on French, Italian, Germanic Studies and Slavic and Eurasian Studies will become a new European and Eurasian Studies department. — Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026

Department chairs from Germanic Studies, Slavic and Eurasian Studies, French and Italian will be combined into a new department of European and Eurasian Studies. — Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 12 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1718, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Germanic

• East Germanic
• Indo-Germanic
• North Germanic
• West Germanic

Rhymes for Germanic

• botanic
• brahmanic
• britannic
• galvanic
• hispanic
• koranic
• mechanic
• organic
• puranic
• quranic
• romanic
• satanic

Kids Definition

Germanic

1 of 2 adjective

Ger·​man·​ic (ˌ)jər-ˈman-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the peoples speaking Germanic languages

2

: of or relating to Germanic

Germanic

2 of 2 noun

: a branch of the Indo-European language family containing English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, Gothic, and the Scandinavian languages