Afrikaner

noun

Af·​ri·​ka·​ner ˌa-fri-ˈkä-nər How to pronounce Afrikaner (audio)
often attributive
: a South African of European descent whose native language is Afrikaans
Afrikanerdom
ˌa-fri-ˈkä-nər-dəm How to pronounce Afrikaner (audio)
noun

Examples of Afrikaner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then there’s the overstated theory that Meyer’s identity — white Afrikaner — will function as some kind of shield in Washington. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 Apr. 2026 Johann Kotzé is an Afrikaner who is head of South Africa's largest agricultural organization. — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026 Asylum-seekers from Gaza fleeing a genocide have no place in The Homeland; Afrikaners suffering the indignity of post-apartheid are welcome. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026 But Afrikaners are not a homogenous group, and some fought against apartheid. — Josh Boak, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025 The South African government has denied that Afrikaners are being persecuted. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch, literally, "African" — more at africander

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afrikaner was in 1820

Rhymes for Afrikaner

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Browse Nearby Words

Afrikanderism
Afrikaner
Afrikanerdom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afrikaner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrikaner. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Afrikaner

noun
Af·​ri·​ka·​ner ˌaf-ri-ˈkän-ər How to pronounce Afrikaner (audio)
: a person born in South Africa whose native language is Afrikaans and whose ancestors were from Europe
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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