African

[ af-ri-kuhn ]

adjective

1. of or from Africa; belonging to the Black peoples of Africa.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Africa.
2. (loosely) a Black person or other person of African ancestry.

African

/ ˈæfrɪkən /

adjective

1. denoting or relating to Africa or any of its peoples, languages, nations, etc

noun

1. a native, inhabitant, or citizen of any of the countries of Africa
2. a member or descendant of any of the peoples of Africa, esp a Black person

Other Words From

• Afri·can·ness noun
• inter-Afri·can adjective
• non-Afri·can adjective noun
• pro·Afri·can adjective noun
• pseudo-Afri·can adjective noun
• trans-Afri·can adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of African¹

First recorded before 1000 for noun, 1540–60 for adjective; Middle English noun Affrican, Aufrican “an inhabitant of North Africa or the Roman province of Africa (approximately modern Tunisia),” Old English noun Africanas “Africans” (accusative plural), from Late Latin Āfricānus “an inhabitant of Africa,” from Latin adjective Āfricānus “pertaining to Africa, African,” from Āfrica (short for terra Āfrica “African land”) “the continent of Africa, the Roman province of Africa,” a derivative of Āfrī, plural of adjective and noun Āfer ( Āfra, Āfrum ) “pertaining to Africa, African,” as a noun “an inhabitant of North Africa”; further etymology uncertain; possibly akin to Phoenician ʾafar “dust”; possibly the name of a local Libyan tribe ancestral to the Berbers

Example Sentences

We also get a broad, electrifying sampling of the era’s freedom jams, be they from our shore’s turntables and radios or the African rumba scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Both he and coalition partner Caroline van der Plas, among others, have pointed the finger at young people of Moroccan or North African descent.

From BBC

Homotherium had anatomy similar to modern African lions but with shorter bodies and longer limbs—and these differences already were evident in the 3-week old cub.

From Science Magazine

However, she relaxed after receiving what she described as a sign from the African goddess Yemayá.

From BBC

“The debate on the height gap between Indian and Sub-Saharan African children has resulted in overlooking the role of social identity, especially caste status,” the authors say.

From BBC