Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan 

 also  -gən

1

a(1)

: pashtun

(2)

: pashto

b

: a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan

2

not capitalized : a blanket or shawl of colored yarn knitted or crocheted in strips or squares

3

not capitalized : a Turkoman carpet of large size and long pile woven in geometric designs

4

: afghan hound

Afghan adjective

or Afghani

af-ˈga-nē 

-ˈgä-

Examples of Afghan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In mid-February, a group of detainees including Iranian, Indian, Afghan, and Chinese immigrants were deported from the United States to Panama. —Edwidge Danticat, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, the former Afghan Department Ministry employee and his family have resigned themselves to waiting. —Betsy Joles, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025

It is believed that he was released by the Taliban in the waning days as the Afghan republic crumbled. —Pierre Thomas, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025

Relating the true-life story of the Afghan Dreamers, a group of young women who groundbreakingly participated in international robotics competitions, Bill Guttentag’s Rule Breakers proves inspirational in the best sense of the word. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Persian afghān "Pashtun"

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing Afghan

• Afghan hound

Rhymes for Afghan

• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• crankpin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman

Kids Definition

Afghan

noun

Af·​ghan ˈaf-ˌgan 

1

: a person born or living in Afghanistan

2

not capitalized : a blanket or shawl made of knitted or crocheted colored wool

Afghan adjective