African

1 of 2

noun

Af·​ri·​can ˈa-fri-kən 

 also  ˈä-

1

: a native or inhabitant of Africa

2

: a person and especially a Black person of African ancestry

African

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Africa or its people

Africanness

ˈa-fri-kə(n)-nəs 

noun

Examples of African in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, the Eritrean made history on July 1 by surging ahead in a sprint finish at the end of the third stage at this year’s Tour, becoming the first Black African to win a stage. —Ben Church, CNN, 21 July 2024

The Bright Side Through Aug. 15 at African Art Beats, 3501 Lowell St. NW. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 19 July 2024

Adjective

Friend, a magazine that explores Africa and the African diaspora through contemporary art, fashion and theory, has been unveiled. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 22 July 2024

That said, there are some cultures—like Ancient Egyptian and other East African cultures—that use castor oil for these very reasons with positive results.2 Because castor oil is relatively safe when applied topically, there is little risk in experimenting with it for hair growth. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English Aufrican, Affrican, going back to Old English Africanas (plural), borrowed from Latin Āfricānus african entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Latin Āfricānus, from Āfrica (short for Āfrica terra, literally, "African land," from feminine of Āfricus "of the Roman province of Africa [present-day northern Tunisia], of the continent of Africa," from Āfr-, Āfer "of Africa, inhabitant of North Africa [other than Egypt]" —of unknown origin— + -icus -ic entry 1) + -ānus -an entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing African

• African American
• African American English
• African American Language
• African American Vernacular English
• African buffalo
• African clawed frog
• African clawed toad
• African daisy
• African elephant
• African gray
• African hunting dog
• African mahogany
• African sleeping sickness
• African swine fever
• African violet
• African wild dog
• inter-African
• non-African
• South African

Kids Definition

African

noun

Af·​ri·​can

ˈaf-ri-kən

1

: a person born or living in Africa

2

: a person of African ancestry

African adjective