Afrikaans

1 of 2

noun

Af·​ri·​kaans ˌa-fri-ˈkän(t)s How to pronounce Afrikaans (audio)
ˌä-,
-ˈkänz,
ˈa-fri-ˌkän(t)s,
ˈä-,
-ˌkänz
: a language developed from 17th century Dutch that is one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa

Afrikaans

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to Afrikaners or Afrikaans

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch, literally, "of Africa, African," going back to earlier Africaansch, Africaensch, from Latin Āfricānus african entry 2 + Dutch -sch, adjective suffix of appurtenance, going back to Middle Dutch -sc -ish

Adjective

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch — more at afrikaans entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afrikaans was in 1885

Cite this Entry

“Afrikaans.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrikaans. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

Afrikaans

noun
Af·​ri·​kaans
ˌaf-ri-ˈkän(t)s,
-ˈkänz
: a language developed from 17th century Dutch and used in the Republic of South Africa
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