Afrikaans

1 of 2

noun

Af·​ri·​kaans ˌa-fri-ˈkän(t)s How to pronounce Afrikaans (audio)
ˌä-,
-ˈkänz,
ˈa-fri-ˌkän(t)s,
ˈä-,
-ˌkänz
: a language developed from 17th century Dutch that is one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa

Afrikaans

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to Afrikaners or Afrikaans

Examples of Afrikaans in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The Malay language was then supplanted by Cape Dutch, a precursor to Afrikaans. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch, literally, "of Africa, African," going back to earlier Africaansch, Africaensch, from Latin Āfricānus african entry 2 + Dutch -sch, adjective suffix of appurtenance, going back to Middle Dutch -sc -ish

Adjective

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch — more at afrikaans entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afrikaans was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near Afrikaans

a friend in need is a friend indeed

Afrikaans

Afrikanderism

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Afrikaans.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrikaans. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

Afrikaans

noun
Af·​ri·​kaans
ˌaf-ri-ˈkän(t)s,
-ˈkänz
: a language developed from 17th century Dutch and used in the Republic of South Africa
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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