german

[ jur-muhn ]

/ ˈdʒɜr mən /

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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.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of german

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

Words nearby german

Géricault, Gerlachovka, germ, Germain, Germaine, german, German Africa, German Baptist Brethren, German cockroach, German Democratic Republic, germander

Other definitions for german (2 of 2)

German

[ jur-muhn ]

/ ˈdʒɜr mən /

adjective

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

noun

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM German

anti-German, noun, adjectivehalf-German, adjectivenon-German, adjective, nounpre-German, adjective, noun

pro-German, adjective, nounpseudo-German, adjective, nounquasi-German, adjectiveun-German, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use german in a sentence

The first viable, non-toxic chemically derived sugar substitute was discovered in the late 18th century by a German chemist.
Has a startup finally found one of food science’s holy grails with its healthy sugar substitute?|Jonathan Shieber|February 26, 2021|TechCrunch
It was 19th century German astronomer Samuel Heinrich Schwabe who realized that such solar activity ebbs and flows during 11-year cycles.
Solar storms can wreak havoc. We need better space weather forecasts|Ramin Skibba|February 26, 2021|Science News
The German group then plans to react hydrogen with carbon dioxide captured from the cement plant to produce both methanol, a chemical feedstock, and synthetic jet fuel.
Cheap renewables could make green hydrogen a practical replacement for fossil fuels|Katie McLean|February 24, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The German auto giant also agreed to set up a joint venture with the company to mass-produce the batteries and says they’ll be in its electric cars and trucks on the road by 2025.
Novel lithium-metal batteries will drive the switch to electric cars|Katie McLean|February 24, 2021|MIT Technology Review

The German team had perhaps the toughest experimental recipe.
Scientists Communicated With People While They Were Lucid Dreaming|Shelly Fan|February 22, 2021|Singularity Hub
An additional 12,000 took to the streets in other German towns.
Europe’s Islam Haters Say We Told You So|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But few of us would recognize the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand, a German philosopher-turned-outspoken Nazi antagonist.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler|John Henry Crosby|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the video, the bus is getting searched by a cop with a German shepherd.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many more German divisions would enter the fray over the next few days.
Hitler’s Hail Mary|James A. Warren|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the event, the enemy did plenty—far more than SHAEF, or for that matter the German high command, imagined possible.
Hitler’s Hail Mary|James A. Warren|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was a bookseller, but better known as a translator of the German contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine, &c.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
It is, however, true, that in this respect the German hexametrist has a considerable advantage over the English.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
To talk German was beyond the sweep of my dizziest ambition, but an Italian runner or porter instantly presented himself.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Gottfried Achenwall, an eminent German lecturer on statistics, history and the laws of nature, died at Gttingen.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The governess is Swiss and for one week she talks nothing but French and for another nothing but German.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

British Dictionary definitions for german (1 of 3)

german¹

/ (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)

german²

/ (ˈdʒɜːmən) /

adjective

(used in combination)

having the same parents as oneselfa brother-german
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

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