Afro

noun

Af·​ro ˈa-(ˌ)frō How to pronounce Afro (audio)
plural Afros
: a hairstyle of tight curls in a full evenly rounded shape
Afroed
ˈa-(ˌ)frōd How to pronounce Afro (audio)
adjective

Illustration of Afro

Illustration of afro

Word History

Etymology

derivative of afro-, taken as adjective

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afro was in 1966

Phrases Containing Afro

Browse Nearby Words

Afrikanerdom
Afro
Afro-
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Cite this Entry

“Afro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afro. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Afro

noun
ˈaf-rō
: a hairdo of tight curls in a full evenly rounded shape
Afroed
-rōd
adjective
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