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

My hair, blowing around like that of an Afghan Hound with its head out of a car window. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

When Ali Zaman, a first-generation Afghan American, opened his restaurant Blue Hour in Bushwick, Brooklyn, the menu had to have a Crunchwrap. Sowwy — a Cwunch Wap. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025

The biggest issue was the Iraqi and Afghan National Security Forces. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 26 June 2025

These networks—Lebanese, Iraqi, Syrian, Afghan—were built precisely to extend deterrence and sow instability in the event of direct conflict. —Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025

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

Rhymes for Afghan

• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• crankpin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman

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