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

Its products are intended to underpin the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA’s) agenda of boosting intra-Africa trade. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 27 June 2025

Special recognition was given to Charles O’Neal, president of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, and to Dr. Marie Holliday for the Sneakerball Business of the Year Award. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025

Adjective

Recent Results and Performances Senegal most recently suffered a defeat in the final of a zonal West African cup competition, though that was with quite a rotated squad. —Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Visitors can also opt to join the Greensboro African American History Walking Tour, which highlights historic sites throughout the city that are pivotal to the Black experience. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

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