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

Peter Spencer, founder of the Mother African Union Church, started the festival in 1814, two years before the church became the birthplace of the entire AME denomination. — Ukee Washington, CBS News, 19 June 2026

The couple met in the 1990s and got married in 1996 in a private celebration at the First African Baptist Church on Cumberland Island in Georgia. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026

Adjective

South African and Malawian authorities have been coordinating in recent weeks to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of Malawian citizens gathered at the site in Durban, claiming to flee anti-migrant tensions and fears of violence. — Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026

By their models, a ball launched at the same speed, angle and trajectory for a top-corner free kick in Durban (sea level) would not go in at six of the other nine South African stadiums at higher altitudes. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 20 June 2026

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
• Central African
• 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