Afghan

[af-gan, -guhn]

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan.

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

3. Also called Afghan hound. one of a breed of swift hunting hounds having a long, narrow head and a long, silky coat.

4. Literary.,  Pashto.

adjective

1. of Afghanistan or its people or language.

Afghan

¹

/ -ɡən, æfˈɡænɪ, ˈæfɡæn, -ˈɡɑː- /

noun

1. a native, citizen, or inhabitant of Afghanistan

2. another name for Pashto

3. history an Indian camel driver employed in the outback of Australia

adjective

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

afghan

²

/ -ɡən, ˈæfɡæn /

noun

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

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

Usage

See afghani.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Afghan¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Afghan¹

from _Afghanistan

Example Sentences

Another has a 3D-printed chain, while a third has a skirt of little pendant weavings that echo the patterns on afghans.

From New York Times

Valley College, her crocheted afghan flying like a kite.

From Los Angeles Times

She has frank conversations and cries with everyone as they figure out why they are hanging on to boxes of grandma’s afghans and photo albums full of people they don’t even recognize.

From Washington Post

It’s a form of manipulation and control like any other — except crocheted into an afghan and presented as love.

From Washington Post

“You bored him to death,” she said, covering Vern’s lap with a colorful afghan.

From Literature