Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan 

 also  -gən

1

a(1)

: pashtun

(2)

: pashto

b

: a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan

2

not capitalized : a blanket or shawl of colored yarn knitted or crocheted in strips or squares

3

not capitalized : a Turkoman carpet of large size and long pile woven in geometric designs

4

: afghan hound

Afghan adjective

or Afghani

af-ˈga-nē 

-ˈgä-

Examples of Afghan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film’s director Havana Marking is best known for her 2009 Sundance-winning feature Afghan Star. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2024

French officials said the 22-year-old Afghan was indicted on Saturday for plotting attacks against civilians and placed in pretrial detention. —Nancy Ing, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024

More than 5,000 calls and messages bombarded Marzieh Hamidi’s phone in the days after the Afghan Taekwondo champion dared to suggest that her home country’s men’s cricket team didn’t represent her – an athlete forced into exile by the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport. —Joseph Ataman, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024

Three of the dead and four of the wounded were Afghan. —Abdul Sattar, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Persian afghān "Pashtun"

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing Afghan

• Afghan hound

Kids Definition

Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan 

1

: a person born or living in Afghanistan

2

not capitalized : a blanket or shawl made of knitted or crocheted colored wool

Afghan adjective