As an adjective, it describes something or someone from Africa or related to its people, cultures, or languages. As a noun, it refers to a person from Africa.
From Latin *Africanus* “of Africa,” based on *Africa*. It entered English through Middle French and Latin sources.
‘African’ covers an enormous range of identities—from Berber to Zulu to Yoruba and beyond. Using one word for so many distinct cultures is convenient, but it can hide just how diverse the continent really is.
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