West African

1 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of West Africa
usually used of the part of Africa lying north of the Gulf of Guinea excluding Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the West Africans

West African

2 of 2

noun

: a native or inhabitant of West Africa
usually used specifically of the peoples of the part of Africa lying to the north of the Gulf of Guinea

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

West Africa + English -an

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near West African

Cite this Entry

“West African.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/West%20African. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!