Afro

1 of 2

noun

Af·​ro ˈa-(ˌ)frō How to pronounce Afro (audio)
plural Afros
: a hairstyle of tight curls in a full evenly rounded shape
Afroed
ˈa-(ˌ)frōd How to pronounce Afro (audio)
adjective

Illustration of Afro

Illustration of afro

Afro-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or Afr-
: African
Afro-American
: African and
Afro-Asiatic

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of afro-, taken as adjective

Combining form

Latin Āfr-, Āfer "of Africa" + -o- — more at african entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afro was in 1966

Phrases Containing Afro

Dictionary Entries Near Afro

Afrikaner

Afro

Afro-

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Afro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afro. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

Afro

noun
ˈaf-rō
: a hairdo of tight curls in a full evenly rounded shape
Afroed
-rōd
adjective
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