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

There are exceptions to the ban, including for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders, and people qualifying for a national interest waiver. —Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025

Another Afghan, Khalid Khan, said the new restrictions could expose him and thousands of others to arrest in Pakistan. —Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025

One of Donald Trump's latest immigration moves could be sending Afghan Christians to die at the hands of the Taliban, an anti-Christian persecution group has warned. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

Candidates include Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 12 May 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