What does frankfurt mean?
Frankfurt is best known as one of Germany's most important cities, situated on the River Main in the state of Hesse. A global center of finance — home to the European Central Bank and the country's largest airport — it is also culturally significant, hosting the renowned Frankfurt Book Fair and lending its name to the influential Frankfurt School of social theory. The word itself has deep roots: the name derives from Old High German Franconofurd, meaning 'ford of the Franks,' marking the river crossing associated with the Frankish people from whom the adjective 'frank' also descends. In Australia and New Zealand, the term took on a second life as a casual name for a frankfurter sausage, though internationally the city sense dominates. Careful readers should distinguish Frankfurt from Frankfort, the spelling given to several American towns, including Kentucky's capital.
A large city in western Germany, in the state of Hesse, on the River Main; a leading financial and commercial center.
"Frankfurt's skyline is sometimes called 'Mainhattan' for its cluster of skyscrapers."
Often written 'Frankfurt am Main' to distinguish it from Frankfurt (Oder) near the Polish border.
(Australia, New Zealand) A frankfurter; a smooth, seasoned sausage served hot, especially at barbecues.
"The children each got a frankfurt wrapped in bread at the party."
Regional slang-derived usage; elsewhere 'frankfurter' or 'hot dog' is preferred.
Rarely needed for the city itself, but used when referring collectively to places named Frankfurt (e.g., Frankfurt am Main and Frankfurt an der Oder) or to multiple sausages.
"The two Frankfurts are often confused by travellers."
Frankfurt's very name is over a thousand years old: it means 'ford of the Franks,' the river crossing where the Germanic tribe that gave us the word 'frank' first made its mark.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of frankfurt
The name Frankfurt comes from Old High German Franconofurd, literally 'ford of the Franks' — the spot where the Franks, a Germanic people, could cross the River Main. It shares this tribal origin with the word 'frank' (meaning candid, originally referring to the free status of Franks) and with terms such as Frankish and Franconia. A distinct spelling, Frankfort, was adopted for several settlements elsewhere in the world, including Kentucky's capital, while 'frankfurter' names the sausage said to originate from the city.
Related word forms
How frankfurt is actually used
As a place name it is used neutrally and formally alike; the second sense, meaning the sausage, is chiefly Australian and New Zealand usage, where 'frankfurter' is more common elsewhere. The city is often qualified as 'Frankfurt am Main' to distinguish it from the smaller Frankfurt an der Oder.
Easily confused with frankfurt
Frankfort (no 'ur') usually refers to places such as the capital of Kentucky, whereas Frankfurt refers chiefly to the German city.
A frankfurter is a seasoned sausage (a hot dog), named after the city of Frankfurt, not the city itself.