# African

/ˈæfɹəkən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/african
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. relating to Africa

adjective · CEFR A2

relating to the continent of Africa or its people.

For teachers: pertaining to the continent of Africa, its constituent nations, or its inhabitants.

- We spent the evening listening to traditional African music and eating spicy food.
- The museum's new wing features an extensive collection of African art, spanning several centuries and representing dozens of distinct ethnic groups.

Usage: Always capitalized in English as it is derived from a proper noun.

### 2. a person from Africa

noun · CEFR A2

a person who comes from Africa or whose family is from there.

For teachers: a native or inhabitant of Africa, or a person of African descent.

- Many Africans living abroad maintain strong ties to their home countries.
- The conference brought together Africans from across the diaspora to discuss economic development and technological innovation.

Usage: Always capitalized; functions as a countable noun.

## Examples

- She is a proud African who grew up in Nairobi.
- The conference brought together Africans from across the continent to discuss new trade agreements.
- While the term encompasses a vast diversity of cultures and languages, many Africans find common ground in shared history and regional economic goals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.