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

The film was an official selection at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) in 2025. —Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025

The military's ranks included over one million African Americans, 500,000 Latino Americans, 25,000 Native Americans, and between 250,000 and 350,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (6). —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

Adjective

However, many songs on the album feel timely due to how isolated many African Americans may feel at different stages in their lives. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 28 Aug. 2025

December will bring the championship to Benin, marking the first time a global MMA title fight is held in the West African region. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

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