African
Americanadjective
noun
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a native or inhabitant of Africa.
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(loosely) a Black person or other person of African ancestry.
adjective
noun
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a native, inhabitant, or citizen of any of the countries of Africa
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a member or descendant of any of the peoples of Africa, esp a Black person
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of African
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
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The individuals were monitored in Brazil's two biggest cities after returning from African countries, with both showing related symptoms.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
In a speech before departing his post, Gonzales alleged that authorities in the southern African country were “letting the United States pay for healthcare while officials diverted government funds to their own pockets.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
Like with gold, the RSF smuggles gum arabic through border points it controls to neighboring countries, including Libya, Chad, Central African Republic and South Sudan.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Agency for International Development, some African governments are bridling at the conditions he has set for resuming funding to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
This is perfect for implementing one of the essential elements of West African dance and music, where people take turns “showing their stuff” in a playfully confrontational way.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
