german
n. C / Un. the language people speak in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. It also refers to a person from Germany.
n. the West Germanic language spoken primarily in Central Europe; also a person of German nationality or descent.
She speaks German very well.
The local museum offers guided tours in both English and German for international visitors.
While the grammar can be challenging for beginners, learning German provides access to a rich history of philosophy, literature, and scientific achievement.
From Latin Germānus, Germānī (“the peoples of Germānia”), as distinct from Gauls (in the writings of Caesar and Tacitus), and of uncertain ultimate origin (possibly Celtic/Gaulish). Not related to german (“closely related”) or germane (from the Latin adjective germānus, through Old French). Attested since at least 1520. Replaced the older terms Almain and Dutch (from Proto-Germanic þiudiskaz) in English. Besides cognates of German, Almain, and Dutch, two other categories of words for the Germans in other languages are cognates of Saxon and descendants of Proto-Slavic němьcь; see those entries for more. The surname is generally from the noun, though sometimes confused with Herman, Hermann under Russian influence. As a German surname, Americanized from Germann. Compare Germán, Germain, Jerman.
Uncountable when referring to the language; countable when referring to a person.