Afghan

[ af-gan, -guhn ]

/ ˈæf gæn, -gən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for Afghan on Thesaurus.com

noun

a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan.

afghan, a soft woolen blanket, crocheted or knitted, usually in a geometric pattern.

Also called Af·ghan hound . one of a breed of swift hunting hounds having a long, narrow head and a long, silky coat.

Literary. Pashto.

adjective

of Afghanistan or its people or language.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Afghan

First recorded in 1740–50; from Persian afghān “inhabitant of the Hindu Kush; a Pathan“

usage note for Afghan

See afghani.

Words nearby Afghan

afft., affusion, AFG, AFGE, Afgh., Afghan, Afghan hound, afghani, Afghanistan, Afghanization, aficionada

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Afghan in a sentence

They waved to some Afghan army soldiers who were accompanying Lorance’s troops.
An unusual mission in Afghanistan, and the troops who suffered to carry it out|Greg Jaffe|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
The agency declined to comment on whether Afghan officials had a role in the decision.
Legendary Afghan pilot in hiding after U.S. reverses decision to help him flee Taliban|Alex Horton|December 3, 2020|Washington Post
The post This Afghan Crusader Should Have Beaten Obama for the Nobel appeared first on OZY.
This Afghan Crusader Should Have Beaten Obama for the Nobel|Nick Fouriezos|October 11, 2020|Ozy
Yet she rose to become one of the most consequential Afghan activists of the century.
This Afghan Crusader Should Have Beaten Obama for the Nobel|Nick Fouriezos|October 11, 2020|Ozy

The Afghan peace activist was the truly deserving candidate for the peace prize in 2009, rather than a rookie President Barack Obama.
A Nobel Pursuit Gone Wrong?|Tracy Moran|October 11, 2020|Ozy
“The Afghan Taliban are widely considered as freedom fighters in Pakistan and such attacks would hurt them,” says Kakar.
Pakistani School Killers Want to Strike the U.S.|Sami Yousafzai, Christopher Dickey|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ISI came to the CIA for assistance in fostering a revolt that had developed in the Afghan countryside against Communist rule.
CIA Agents Assess: How Real Is ‘Homeland’?|Chuck Cogan, John MacGaffin|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The machismo of Afghan male culture apparently coexists with a little-noted passion for gardening.
Afghanistan, We Hardly Knew You|Jonathan Foreman|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That ruling was affirmed in a final judgment by the Afghan courts, which the Afghan Supreme Court confirmed in 2013.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back|Kevin Maurer|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It took more than a dozen years for the Afghan and NATO forces to really understand each other, but all that will soon be history.
Afghanistan, We Hardly Knew You|Jonathan Foreman|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Afghan was true to his salt, and their own retainers, who had come with them from Lucknow, remained steadfast at this crisis.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
She was, to be candid, knitting an afghan against an interesting event which involved a friend of hers.
The Amazing Interlude|Mary Roberts Rinehart
Her last waking determination was to finish the afghan quickly and to knit for the men at the war.
The Amazing Interlude|Mary Roberts Rinehart
Nothing pleases her so much as bright colors, so I want you to make her a gay afghan.
The Story of the Big Front Door|Mary Finley Leonard
Mrs. Howard's eyes followed lovingly her two pretty nieces as they danced away to join the group around the afghan.
The Story of the Big Front Door|Mary Finley Leonard

British Dictionary definitions for Afghan (1 of 2)

afghan

/ (ˈæfɡæn, -ɡən) /

noun

a knitted or crocheted wool blanket or shawl, esp one with a geometric pattern

a sheepskin coat, often embroidered and having long fur trimming around the edges

Word Origin for afghan

from Afghanistan

British Dictionary definitions for Afghan (2 of 2)

Afghan

Afghani (æfˈɡænɪ, -ˈɡɑː-)

/ (ˈæfɡæn, -ɡən) /

noun

a native, citizen, or inhabitant of Afghanistan

another name for Pashto

history an Indian camel driver employed in the outback of Australia

adjective

denoting or relating to Afghanistan, its people, or their language

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012