German word

Ritter

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁɪtɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounknight

Example

Ein Ritter trug eine Rüstung.

A knight wore armor.

Illustration for Ritter (knight)

More examples

Auf dem Mittelalterfest trafen wir einen Ritter.

At the medieval festival, we met a knight.

Core concept

A mounted, armed figure in armor whose role can also mark a medieval social title.

Similar words

Reiter: A horse rider involved in travel, work, or fighting.
Knappe: An apprentice serving and assisting a knight while receiving training.
Adliger: A person of noble status through family lineage or an inherited title.

Definition in German

Ritter bezeichnet im Mittelalter einen berittenen, bewaffneten Krieger und häufig ein Mitglied des Adelsstandes.

Word origin

Ritter is an inherited Germanic formation connected with the verb rītan, whose modern German descendant is reiten, 'to ride'.

Usage tips

  • Reiter describes a rider or riding role and does not by itself express the knightly rank associated with Ritter.

Related words

  • Ritterinfemale knightnoun
  • ritterlichknightlyadjective

Word lists with this word