name
Very common
Africa
AF-rih-kuh
Africa (name) means the second-largest continent, bordered by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean. Example: “Africa is home to over 50 countries and thousands of languages.”
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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Africas
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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.
Rhymes for Africa
See all rhymes for Africa →Frequently asked questions
What does “Africa” mean?
The word “Africa” means the second-largest continent, bordered by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean. In plain terms, the continent south of Europe, encompassing dozens of countries and cultures.
How do you pronounce “Africa”?
“Africa” is pronounced AF-rih-kuh (/ˈæf.ɹɪ.kə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Africa” in a sentence?
Here is “Africa” used in a sentence: “Africa is home to over 50 countries and thousands of languages.”
What part of speech is “Africa”?
“Africa” is a name.
Where does the word “Africa” come from?
The word “Africa” comes from Latin. From Latin Africa, ultimately from Āfrī (the Latin name for inhabitants near Carthage), possibly rooted in a Berber or Phoenician word for the region.
Is “Africa” a common word?
“Africa” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Africa” have?
“Africa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the second-largest continent, bordered by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean.
Is Africa a country or a continent?
Africa is a continent, not a country — a common misunderstanding. It is the world's second largest, made up of 54 recognised independent countries, each with its own government, cultures and languages. Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa are just a few of the very different nations it contains.
How many countries are in Africa?
Africa has 54 fully recognised sovereign countries, making it the continent with the most nations. This total is widely cited by the United Nations and the African Union. A few additional territories have disputed or partial recognition, but 54 is the standard, generally accepted figure.
What is the largest country in Africa?
Algeria, in North Africa, is the largest African country by land area, covering roughly 2.4 million square kilometres — much of it Sahara desert. By population, however, Nigeria is the largest, with well over 200 million people, far more than any other nation on the continent.
What is the largest desert in Africa?
The Sahara is Africa's largest desert and the biggest hot desert on Earth, stretching across much of North Africa. Covering an area comparable to the whole United States, it spans roughly a dozen countries and separates the Mediterranean north from the greener regions further south.
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