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

A ceasefire brokered over the weekend remained in effect on Thursday, with Pakistani and Afghan officials due to meet in Turkey on Saturday.

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Last week Pakistani and Afghan forces engaged in clashes along their long and disputed border.

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The border only opened temporarily this week to admit Afghan migrants expelled by Pakistan under a campaign that it launched back in 2023.

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In August it was revealed thousands of Afghans brought to safety in the UK had their personal data exposed after an MoD sub-contractor suffered a data breach.

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Clashes intensified along the 1,600-mile mountainous border the two countries share after the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out attacks on the Afghan capital Kabul.

Read more on BBC