noun
Uncommon
Dane
dayn
Dane (noun) means a person from Denmark, or a member of the Scandinavian ethnic group native to it. Example: “Her grandfather was a Dane who emigrated in the 1950s.”
noun
1
A person from Denmark, or a member of the Scandinavian ethnic group native to it.
"But the Danes remained resolute in defence - largely thanks to a spirited display by captain Daniel Agger - and they went ahead with their first meaningful attack."
— Owen Phillips, Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark (2012)
"Her grandfather was a Dane who emigrated in the 1950s."
"As Denmark takes over the presidency of the European Union, Danes are more strongly pro-European than at any time in the past two decades – a shift in sentiment that can at least partly be attributed to US President Donald Trump."
— Sebastian Shukla, Denmark has long been Euroskeptic. Donald Trump helped change that (2025)
2
In English history, one of the Viking raiders and settlers from Scandinavia who invaded parts of England from the 8th century onward.
"The Danes repeatedly raided the English coast before eventually settling there."
How to use Dane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA native or citizen of Denmark, or historically, a Viking-era raider from Scandinavia.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Danes
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Her grandfather was a _____ who emigrated in the 1950s.
Etymology
From Old Norse danir or Old English Dene, both from a shared Proto-Germanic root.
Rhymes for Dane
See all rhymes for Dane →Frequently asked questions
What does “Dane” mean?
The word “Dane” means a person from Denmark, or a member of the Scandinavian ethnic group native to it. In plain terms, a native or citizen of Denmark, or historically, a Viking-era raider from Scandinavia.
How do you pronounce “Dane”?
“Dane” is pronounced dayn (/deɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Dane” in a sentence?
Here is “Dane” used in a sentence: “Her grandfather was a Dane who emigrated in the 1950s.”
What part of speech is “Dane”?
“Dane” is a noun.
Where does the word “Dane” come from?
The word “Dane” comes from Old English. From Old Norse danir or Old English Dene, both from a shared Proto-Germanic root.
Is “Dane” a common word?
“Dane” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Dane” have?
“Dane” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person from Denmark, or a member of the Scandinavian ethnic group native to it.
