Germanic

1 of 2

adjective

Ger·​man·​ic (ˌ)jər-ˈma-nik 

1

: german

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Germanic-speaking peoples

3

: of, relating to, or constituting Germanic

Germanic

2 of 2

noun

: a branch of the Indo-European language family containing English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, the Scandinavian languages, and Gothic see Indo-European Languages Table

Examples of Germanic in a Sentence

Adjective

Germanic languages, such as German, English, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Frida Origin: Frida is of Old Norse and Germanic origin. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025

It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German flins and Old Norse flint, which also referred to hard stones or rock. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

Now evidence of trip is found The style of ornamentation, depicting an animal with teeth and large eyes, was typical of the late Germanic Iron Age, the period directly before the rise of the Vikings, around 650 to 750 A.D., Nielsen said. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

Southward Migration of Germanic Peoples The researchers examined over 1500 European genomes from people who lived during the first millennium, an eventful period in European history. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1718, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Germanic

• East Germanic
• Indo-Germanic
• North Germanic
• West Germanic

Kids Definition

Germanic

1 of 2 adjective

Ger·​man·​ic (ˌ)jər-ˈman-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the peoples speaking Germanic languages

2

: of or relating to Germanic

Germanic

2 of 2 noun

: a branch of the Indo-European language family containing English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Frisian, Gothic, and the Scandinavian languages