Afghan is the proper term for a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan. The use of Afghani in this meaning is considered to be incorrect and is sometimes perceived as offensive. The -i in Afghani is a suffix used in the names of certain peoples in southwest and central Asia: for example, an Israeli lives in Israel; a Pakistani lives in Pakistan. However, the bordering countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan have a history of strained diplomatic relations. Therefore, objection to the use of Afghani (to refer to a person) may be explained by the word’s similarity to Pakistani, and to Paki, a synonymous but highly offensive term.
First recorded in 1820–30; Afghan ( def. ) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The World Bank said last month that the local currency, the afghani, gained value against major currencies.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 13, 2023
His rent has increased by 500 afghani — almost $6 — in the last few months.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2022
About $760 million has come from the international community, according to the Afghan central bank, which says it uses the money to support the local currency, the afghani.
From New York Times ● Aug. 17, 2022
When it comes to the local afghani currency, al Dardari said that while there is about $4 billion worth of afghanis in the economy, only about $500,000 worth is in circulation.
From Reuters ● Nov. 22, 2021
The local currency, the afghani, has depreciated since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 3, 2021
Nader, who was born in Hamburg to a family of Afghani refugees and grew up in California, began studying with Hussain at age 7.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2025
In “Padma’s All American,” she presents dishes from more than 20 different cuisines, from Afghani to American Indian, plus some family favorites passed down from her mother and grandmother.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025
What is the difference like between classic Afghani food, served to a crowd or family-style and the elevated kind served at Lapis?
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2024
She also trained with the Afghani national team, were she was welcomed by her male colleagues.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2024
I remembered beggars in the old days too—Baba always carried an extra handful of Afghani bills in his pocket just for them; I’d never seen him deny a peddler.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
