Afro

[ af-roh ]

/ ˈæf roʊ /

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noun, plural Af·ros.

a hairstyle originating with Black people, in which naturally curly or frizzy hair is cut into a full, bushy shape all over the head.

adjective

of or relating to African Americans or to Black traditions, culture, etc.: Afro societies.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!

Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Afro

First recorded in 1965–70; independent use of Afro-

Definition for Afro (2 of 2)

Afro-

a combining form of Africa: Afro-American; Afro-Asiatic.

Also especially before a vowel, Afr-.

Origin of Afro-

<Latin Āfr- (stem of Āfer an African) + -o-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for Afro

I was a dorky Indo-English kid with a South Asian afro, and he was the all-American type, on the baseball team, et cetera.
How Aasif Mandvi Became Jon Stewart’s Favorite Jihadi|Dean Obeidallah|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tarantino still had his heart set on the Afro, but then Jackson stepped in.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They saw him in his 30s, sporting a huge Afro and smoking a big cigar on The Dick Cavett Show.
Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius|Mark Whitaker|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Equally incisive were Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge, and the three young Afro-Englishmen electrified the game.
The Group of Life|Tunku Varadarajan|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

During the ride, Jai Johany plays lacy Afro jazz on a cassette machine, frowning, saying nothing.
Stacks: Hitting the Note with the Allman Brothers Band|Grover Lewis|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dolores could not understand their low conversation in English—and Afro-Americanese!
The Ghost Breaker|Charles Goddard
Many other eminent men have shared the same opinion, and not a few prominent leaders among the Afro-American people.
Thomas Jefferson|Edward S. Ellis et. al.
Graveyard rabbits, when indubitably known to be such, decorate no Afro-American skillet.
Sundry Accounts|Irvin S. Cobb
The evolution of the Afro-American soldier was the work of a short period and suffered many interruptions.
The Colored Regulars in the United States Army|T. G. Steward
An Afro-Asian with skin like dark honey and smooth, pleasant, rather flat features.
It's All Yours|Sam Merwin

British Dictionary definitions for Afro (1 of 2)

Afro

/ (ˈæfrəʊ) /

noun plural -ros

a hairstyle in which the hair is shaped into a wide frizzy bush

Word Origin for Afro

C20: independent use of Afro-

British Dictionary definitions for Afro (2 of 2)

Afro-

combining form

indicating Africa or AfricanAfro-Asiatic

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

Afro

noun, plural Af·ros.

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Origin of Afro

Definition for Afro (2 of 2)

Origin of Afro-

Example sentences from the Web for Afro

British Dictionary definitions for Afro (1 of 2)

noun plural -ros

Word Origin for Afro

British Dictionary definitions for Afro (2 of 2)

combining form