Frankfurt
|Frank-furt|
🇺🇸
/ˈfræŋkfɝt/
🇬🇧
/ˈfræŋkfɜːt/
ford of the Franks
Etymology
'Frankfurt' originates from Old High German, specifically the word 'Franconofurd', where 'Francon-' meant 'of the Franks' and 'furt' meant 'ford'.
'Frankfurt' changed from the Old High German form 'Franconofurd' to Middle High German forms such as 'Vrancefurt' and eventually became the modern English name 'Frankfurt'.
Initially, it meant 'ford of the Franks' (a crossing place used by the Frankish people), and over time it evolved into the proper name of the settlement now known as Frankfurt.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a major city in Germany on the Main River, officially Frankfurt am Main, known for finance, commerce, and transport.
Frankfurt is one of Europe's leading financial centers.
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Noun 2
a smaller German city on the Oder River, commonly referred to as Frankfurt (Oder) to distinguish it from Frankfurt am Main.
Trains run between Berlin and Frankfurt (Oder).
Synonyms
Noun 3
used metonymically to refer to Germany's financial sector or the city's financial district (e.g., in news or business contexts).
Regulators in Frankfurt are reviewing the new banking rules.
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Noun 4
used to refer to Frankfurt Airport or to arriving/departing via that airport (commonly in travel contexts).
I'm flying into Frankfurt tomorrow.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/15 15:25