name
Africa
AF-rih-kuh
name
1
The second-largest continent, bordered by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean.
"Africa is home to over 50 countries and thousands of languages."
"She spent a gap year travelling across East Africa."
2
Informally, sub-Saharan Africa, as distinguished from North Africa.
"Aid programmes often distinguish North Africa from the rest of Africa."
How to Use Africa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe continent south of Europe, encompassing dozens of countries and cultures.
Word Forms
Africas plural
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_____ is home to over 50 countries and thousands of languages.
Etymology
From Latin Africa, ultimately from Āfrī (the Latin name for inhabitants near Carthage), possibly rooted in a Berber or Phoenician word for the region.