german
having the same father and mother, as a full brother or sister (usually used in combination): a brother-german.
born of the brother or sister of one's father or mother, as a first cousin (usually used in combination): a cousin-german.
Archaic. germane.
Origin of german
1Other definitions for German (2 of 2)
of or relating to Germany, its inhabitants, or their language.
a native or inhabitant of Germany.
a descendant of a native of Germany.
Also called High German . an Indo-European language that is based on a High German dialect, is official in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is also widely used as an international language for scholarship and science. Abbreviation: G, G.
Linguistics. any variety of West Germanic speech native to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
(usually lowercase) an elaborate social dance resembling a cotillion.
(lowercase)New England and South Atlantic States. a dancing party featuring the german.
Origin of German
2Other words from German
- an·ti-Ger·man, noun, adjective
- half-Ger·man, adjective
- non-Ger·man, adjective, noun
- pre-Ger·man, adjective, noun
- pro-Ger·man, adjective, noun
- pseu·do-Ger·man, adjective, noun
- qua·si-Ger·man, adjective
- un-Ger·man, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for german (1 of 3)
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /
US a dance consisting of complicated figures and changes of partners
Origin of german
1British Dictionary definitions for german (2 of 3)
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /
(used in combination)
having the same parents as oneself: a brother-german
having a parent that is a brother or sister of either of one's own parents: cousin-german
a less common word for germane
Origin of german
2British Dictionary definitions for German (3 of 3)
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /
the official language of Germany and Austria and one of the official languages of Switzerland; the native language of approximately 100 million people. It is an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch, closely related to English and Dutch. There is considerable diversity of dialects; modern standard German is a development of Old High German, influenced by Martin Luther's translation of the Bible: See also High German, Low German
a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Germany
a person whose native language is German: Swiss Germans; Volga Germans
denoting, relating to, or using the German language
relating to, denoting, or characteristic of any German state or its people
Other words from German
- Related prefixes: Germano-, Teuto-
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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