german
English meaning: German
Definition
A near relative.
Example
“She is learning German for her trip to Berlin.”
Another example: “The orchestra performed several pieces by famous German composers.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Relating to Germany, its people or language. Capitalised as a proper adjective and noun ('learn German', 'a German'). Very common in geography, history and language study. Neutral register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'Germanus', the Roman name for the peoples east of the Rhine, of uncertain (possibly Celtic) origin; 16th century.
Synonyms
- germanic
- german language
- high german
- teutonic
Related Words
- reunification
- wehrmacht
- luftwaffe
- populace
- panzer
- deutsche
- reich
- submarine
- nazi
- saxony
Common Collocations
- german language
- german history
- speak german
- german culture
- east german
- german cuisine
Word Forms
German (adj); German (n); Germans (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B