adj
Common
Danish
DAY-nihsh
Danish (adj) means relating to Denmark, its people, language, or culture. Example: “Danish design is known for its clean, simple lines.”
adj
1
Relating to Denmark, its people, language, or culture.
"Danish design is known for its clean, simple lines."
name
1
The language spoken in Denmark.
"She grew up speaking Danish at home."
noun
1
A sweet, flaky pastry, often filled with fruit or cheese.
"He grabbed a cherry danish on his way to work."
How to use Danish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to Denmark, the Danish language, or (lowercase) the pastry named after it.
UK vs US
Both British and American English use "danish" for the pastry, though it's more commonly called this in the US; in the UK it may also just be called a "Danish pastry."
Common pairings
Danish pastry
Danish design
speak Danish
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Word forms
- Plural
- danishes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ design is known for its clean, simple lines.
Etymology
From Old English Denisċ ("Danish"), from Proto-Germanic *daniskaz — literally "of the Danes."
Rhymes for Danish
See all rhymes for Danish →Frequently asked questions
What does “Danish” mean?
The word “Danish” means relating to Denmark, its people, language, or culture. In plain terms, relating to Denmark, the Danish language, or (lowercase) the pastry named after it.
How do you pronounce “Danish”?
“Danish” is pronounced DAY-nihsh (/ˈdeɪ.nɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Danish” in a sentence?
Here is “Danish” used in a sentence: “Danish design is known for its clean, simple lines.”
What part of speech is “Danish”?
Depending on how it is used, “Danish” can be an adjective, a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Danish” come from?
The word “Danish” comes from Old English. From Old English Denisċ ("Danish"), from Proto-Germanic *daniskaz — literally "of the Danes.".
Is “Danish” a common word?
“Danish” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Danish” have?
“Danish” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Denmark, its people, language, or culture.
What is the difference between "Danish" and "Dutch"?
"Danish" refers to Denmark, its people, and its language, while "Dutch" refers to the Netherlands, its people, and its language. The two are often confused, but they describe two different countries.
Why is a "Danish" pastry called Danish?
The pastry is called a "Danish" because this style of sweet, flaky, layered pastry is associated with Denmark. The full name "Danish pastry" is often shortened to just "a Danish", especially in American English.
What language is "Danish", and which languages is it related to?
"Danish" is the language spoken in Denmark. It is a North Germanic language closely related to Norwegian and Swedish, and speakers of the three languages can often understand one another to some degree.
When should "Danish" be capitalised?
"Danish" is always written with a capital "D" because it derives from the proper noun Denmark, whether it refers to the nationality, the language, or the pastry. This holds even mid-sentence, as in "a cheese Danish".
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