Pennsylvania Dutch

noun

Penn·​syl·​va·​nia Dutch ˌpen(t)-səl-ˈvā-nyə- How to pronounce Pennsylvania Dutch (audio)
-nē-ə-
1
: a people originally of eastern Pennsylvania whose characteristic cultural traditions go back to the German migrations of the 18th century
2
: a dialect of German spoken mainly in Amish communities especially in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana
Pennsylvania Dutchman noun

Examples of Pennsylvania Dutch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eythana Miller on working to preserve Pennsylvania Dutch. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 By the end of her senior year, Christina was learning to speak Pennsylvania Dutch and wearing clothes sewn by members of the community. — Lauren Boersma Harris, New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2025 The Strasburg Train offers a stunning ride through Pennsylvania Dutch Country. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025 There are other reasons for the stigma attached to Pennsylvania Dutch, including that the language is almost exclusively used orally. — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for Pennsylvania Dutch

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pennsylvania Dutch was in 1831

Rhymes for Pennsylvania Dutch

See All Rhymes for Pennsylvania Dutch

Browse Nearby Words

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutchman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pennsylvania Dutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pennsylvania%20Dutch. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Pennsylvania Dutch

noun
Penn·​syl·​va·​nia Dutch ˌpen(t)-səl-ˌvā-nyə- How to pronounce Pennsylvania Dutch (audio)
-nē-ə-
1
: a people living mostly in eastern Pennsylvania whose culture goes back to the German migrations of the 18th century
2
: the German dialect of the Pennsylvania Dutch
Pennsylvania Dutchman noun

More from Merriam-Webster on Pennsylvania Dutch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Pennsylvania Dutch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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