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

Up for three Grammys at next year’s ceremony — a rangy haul of nods for global music album, R&B song and African Music Performance — Tems is carrying a new era of Nigerian music around the world. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

The violet in this scent is blended with African marigold, vetiver, and bergamot. —Rose Dommu, Them, 11 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Just 100 km off the African coast, Fuerteventura is truly one of the best winter sun destinations in Europe, perfect for those seeking a tranquil getaway far from the crowds and the freezing temperatures of Northern Europe. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the strength of a diverse military Lloyd Austin spent more than four decades in uniform, and has led America's military for the last four years, since President Biden picked him to become the nation's first African American Secretary of Defense. —David Morgan, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024

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