Definition

Proper noun: * A German city; an industrial and commercial and financial center: Frankfurt am Main is a major city in central Germany, located on the Main River. It is a leading global hub for commerce, culture, education, tourism, and transportation, and is particularly renowned as a center for finance.

Usage Notes

• The phrase "Frankfurt on the Main" is the English translation of the German name "Frankfurt am Main." It is used to distinguish this city from Frankfurt an der Oder, another German city located on the Oder River.
• It is commonly referred to simply as "Frankfurt" in most international contexts, with the "am Main" specification often implied or omitted.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Frankfurt on the Main is home to the European Central Bank.
  • The trade fair in Frankfurt on the Main attracts visitors from all over the world.
  • She flew into Frankfurt on the Main before taking a train to her final destination.

Advanced Usage

• The city is often described using its full name in formal or geographical contexts to ensure clarity.
• In financial and business journalism, it is frequently called "Frankfurt" as a metonym for the German and European banking sectors.

Variants and Related Words

• Frankfurt am Main: The official German name.
• Frankfurt: The common short form used internationally.
• Mainhattan: A colloquial portmanteau of "Main" and "Manhattan," humorously referring to Frankfurt's distinctive skyline of skyscrapers, which is unusual for a European city.

Synonyms

• Bankfurt: (Informal, humorous) A nickname highlighting its role as a banking capital.
• The Main Metropolis: A descriptive phrase emphasizing its status as a major city on the Main River.

Noun

1. a German city; an industrial and commercial and financial center