definitions

german

[ jur-muh n ]
/ ˈdʒɜr mən /
|

adjective

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.

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Nearby words

germ theory, germ tube, germ warfare, germain, germaine, german, german africa, german baptist brethren, german cockroach, german democratic republic, german east africa

Origin of german

1250–1300; Middle English germain < Old French < Latin germānus, derivative of germen; see germ

Definition for german (2 of 2)

German

[ jur-muh n ]
/ ˈdʒɜr mən /

adjective

of or relating to Germany, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

Origin of German

1520–30; < Latin Germānus German; cognate with Greek Germanoí (plural)

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for german

British Dictionary definitions for german (1 of 3)

german

1
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

noun

US a dance consisting of complicated figures and changes of partners

Word Origin for german

C19: shortened from German cotillion

British Dictionary definitions for german (2 of 3)

german

2
/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

adjective

(used in combination)
  1. having the same parents as oneselfa brother-german
  2. having a parent that is a brother or sister of either of one's own parentscousin-german
a less common word for germane

Word Origin for german

C14: via Old French germain, from Latin germānus of the same race, from germen sprout, offshoot

British Dictionary definitions for german (3 of 3)

German

/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

noun

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 BibleSee also High German, Low German
a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Germany
a person whose native language is GermanSwiss Germans; Volga Germans

adjective

denoting, relating to, or using the German language
relating to, denoting, or characteristic of any German state or its people

Related forms

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