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

Afro-

Afro

Afro-America

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Afro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afro. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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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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