noun

der Kreis, -e

circle

Es ist eine runde Form, bei der alle Punkte gleich weit von der Mitte entfernt sind.

Definition & meaning

Kreis has several related meanings:

A circle: a round geometric shape, or the boundary formed by points equally distant from a center. In everyday speech, it can also refer to the area inside that boundary.
An administrative district: a local government area, especially in Germany. The precise role and size of a district depend on the region.
A group or circle of people: for example, a social or professional circle.
A sphere or range: the people, topics, or activities within a particular area of interest or influence.

Grammar & Word origin

Kreis is a masculine noun: der Kreis. Its plural is die Kreise. It is not formed from smaller German words. The word goes back to Old High German kreiz and is generally traced to Latin circus, meaning “ring” or “circle.”

Synonyms & antonyms

There is no single synonym that fits all meanings:

Zirkel can mean a small or close-knit social group; it is less suitable for a general administrative district.
Gruppe is a broad word for a collection of people, but does not suggest the close social connection that Kreis can.
Landkreis is a specific kind of rural administrative district, while Kreis is more general.
Bezirk also means an administrative area, but its exact status varies by country and region.
Umkreis [?](vocabuo://word/Umkreis] means the surrounding area or vicinity, rather than a circle in the strict geometric sense.

There is no universal antonym for Kreis. The opposite depends on the context, and the word has no standard antonym in its geometric, administrative, or social meanings.