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.
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. 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) a dancing party featuring the german.
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
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
1250–1300; Middle English germain < Old French < Latin germānus, derivative of germen; see germ
1520–30; < Latin Germānus German; cognate with Greek Germanoí (plural)
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Biden will be forced to consume the brief while nursing a broken foot, after slipping while playing with his german shepherd, Major.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 30, 2020
The Bidens had already said that Champ and Major, their two german shepherds, will be moving into the White House.
From Slate ● Nov. 29, 2020
My german grandmother's spinach "salad" started with cooking a pound of bacon; adding brown sugar, vinegar...grease and all...served hot.
From New York Times ● Mar. 23, 2018
But there were many on Monday who dissented out of loyalty to the german shepherd or the cocker spaniel, and the measure barely passed.
From Time ● Feb. 24, 2015
John, Brother German to David II.—Can any of your readers solve the problem in Scotch history, who was John, brother german to King David II., son of Robert Bruce?
From Notes and Queries, Number 179, April 2, 1853. A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George
The German DAX was up 0.7%, led by autos as Mercedes-Benz Group jumped 5.5% after posting above-forecast revenue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Amid a challenging economy, some German politicians are trying to change the law so stores can operate seven days a week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
In addition, German law will also, external require stricter reporting and licensing fees.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
It was through that circle that she met a ceramicist of German American descent by the name of Richard Saar.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
Mrs. Turner tutored Maggie in French, German, English literature, and history, kindly treating her like a daughter.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
President Woodrow Wilson was re-elected the year that pipe was laid, and the Germans attacked the French in the World War I Battle of Verdun, with the death toll topping 700,000.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
The northern region, which Woodard calls "Yankeeland", is rooted in the early Puritan settlers who fled religious persecution in Europe, with later additions of Germans and Scandinavian settlers helping to solidify a pluralistic outlook.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Germans for good reasons are squeamish about articulating a strong idea of “Germanness.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
And the recruitment difficulties are expected to worsen in Europe's largest economy as the population ages: over the next 10 years, around 13 million Germans will reach retirement age.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
In the Balkans, Romania, a latecomer, entered the war on the side of the Allies and was quickly overrun by the Germans, who gained control of that country’s valuable oil and grain resources.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
