Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan How to pronounce Afghan (audio)
 also  -gən
1
a(1)
(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 adjective
or Afghani
af-ˈga-nē How to pronounce Afghan (audio)
-ˈgä-

Examples of Afghan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But officials tore up a photocopy of Mr. Gul’s Afghan Citizen Card, a document issued by the Pakistani government allowing Afghan refugees to stay legally, the family said. Zia Ur-Rehman, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023 Operating as a group distinct from the Afghan Taliban, the TTP had made deep inroads into the country at the time, imposing sharia law in isolated valleys and staging deadly bombings. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 In March, state Sen. Aisha Wahab, the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the California Legislature, introduced the bill. CBS News, 7 Oct. 2023 The Pakistani Taliban, which operates independently from the Afghan Taliban, denied that it was involved. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023 The large majority of people evacuated, approximately 75%, were not American citizens, green card holders, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders, or applicants for the visa. Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2023 Veterans groups have been among the most supportive of the Afghan Adjustment Act. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 14 Aug. 2023 The State Department's efforts to swiftly process hundreds of thousands of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applications have not been enough to significantly decrease the waiting list, according to a new report from the inspector general's office. Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2023 The bill was introduced and authored by state Senator Aisha Wahab, an Afghan American Democrat, in March. Reuters, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Afghan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Persian afghān "Pashtun"

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afghan was in 1742

Dictionary Entries Near Afghan

Cite this Entry

“Afghan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afghan. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

Afghan

noun
Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan How to pronounce Afghan (audio)
1
: a person born or living in Afghanistan
2
not capitalized : a blanket or shawl made of knitted or crocheted colored wool
Afghan adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Afghan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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