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
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.
Noun
English, for example, belongs to the Germanic group, which also includes German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Afrikaans, Icelandic, Scots, Yiddish, and a few others. — Martha Barnette august 6, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025 On his father’s, there was Dutch, then English and Afrikaans. — Carey Baraka, The Dial, 26 June 2025 In addition to English, Afrikaners have their own language, Afrikaans, which has its roots in Dutch and is one of 12 official languages of South Africa. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 21 May 2025 Multiple people, including human rights lawyers, immigration academics, civil rights activists and a Democratic senator, have criticized President Donald Trump for giving white Afrikaans from South Africa refugee status. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Afrikaans

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

Rhymes for Afrikaans

See All Rhymes for Afrikaans

Browse Nearby Words

a friend in need is a friend indeed
Afrikaans
Afrikanderism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afrikaans.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrikaans. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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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