Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan 

 also  -gən

1

a(1)

: pashtun

(2)

: pashto

b

: a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan

2

not capitalized : a blanket or shawl of colored yarn knitted or crocheted in strips or squares

3

not capitalized : a Turkoman carpet of large size and long pile woven in geometric designs

4

: afghan hound

Afghan adjective

or Afghani

af-ˈga-nē 

-ˈgä-

Examples of Afghan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pakistan’s western border remains volatile, with militant groups like the Pakistani Taliban and Afghan Taliban fighters stepping up attacks. —Salman Masood, New York Times, 2 May 2025

The administration’s threat to deport Afghan Christians back to the Taliban in recent weeks has raised concerns in Christian communities in the United States. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Authorities wanted Afghan Citizen cardholders to leave the capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi city by March 31 and return to Afghanistan voluntarily or be deported. —Time, 31 Mar. 2025

The Taliban disclosed earlier Thursday that Boehler had met with a delegation that included Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. —Eric Tucker The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Persian afghān "Pashtun"

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing Afghan

• Afghan hound

Rhymes for Afghan

• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• crankpin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman

Kids Definition

Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan 

1

: a person born or living in Afghanistan

2

not capitalized : a blanket or shawl made of knitted or crocheted colored wool

Afghan adjective