afam
2 synonyms for afam, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In Philippine slang, a foreigner, especially a Western man romantically involved with a Filipino woman.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use afam
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
her afam boyfriend
AFAM studies
AFAM department
Informal slang in Philippine English and Tagalog; an academic abbreviation in US universities.
Etymology
Possibly an acronym of a foreigner around Manila.
Full origin of afam →Frequently asked questions
Is afam an offensive word in the Philippines?
It is informal rather than a slur, and it is often used jokingly. It can still carry a hint of mockery, particularly when it implies a relationship based on money, so it is not a word to use in polite or formal settings.
Does AFAM mean African American studies?
On many US campuses, yes — AFAM is the course code and shorthand for African American Studies programmes. Outside a university context that reading is unlikely.
Where does the Philippine slang afam come from?
Its origin is disputed. A widely repeated expansion of it as an acronym circulates online but is not reliably documented, so the honest answer is that the source is uncertain.
