noun
afam
AH-fam
Afam (noun) means In Philippine slang, a foreigner, especially a Western man romantically involved with a Filipino woman. Example: “Her new boyfriend is an afam she met while he was working in Cebu.”
noun
1
slang In Philippine slang, a foreigner, especially a Western man romantically involved with a Filipino woman.
"Her new boyfriend is an afam she met while he was working in Cebu."
"The bar by the beach is full of afams every December."
2
abbreviation An abbreviation of African American, used chiefly in the names of university departments and courses.
"She's taking AFAM 210 this semester."
"He teaches in the AFAM department."
How to use afam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn the Philippines, a foreigner — often a woman's foreign boyfriend.
When to use it
Informal slang in Philippine English and Tagalog; an academic abbreviation in US universities.
Memory tip
Context decides: Philippine conversation means the foreigner sense, a US timetable means African American Studies.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
afam / AFAB
afam / AFRAM
Common pairings
her afam boyfriend
AFAM studies
AFAM department
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Her new boyfriend is an _____ she met while he was working in Cebu.
Etymology
Possibly an acronym of a foreigner around Manila.
Synonyms
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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.
What is the meaning of afam?
"afam" (noun) means in Philippine slang, a foreigner, especially a Western man romantically involved with a Filipino woman.
