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noun

Pathan

puh-TAHN

Pathan (noun) means a member of the Pashto-speaking people of Afghanistan and north-west Pakistan; another name for Pashtun. Example: “His grandfather was a Pathan from the North-West Frontier.”

noun
1
A member of the Pashto-speaking people of Afghanistan and north-west Pakistan; another name for Pashtun.
"His grandfather was a Pathan from the North-West Frontier."

How to use Pathan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn older or South-Asian-English name for the Pashtun ethnic group.

Easily confused with

Word forms

Pathans plural

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His grandfather was a _____ from the North-West Frontier.

Etymology

Borrowed from Hindustani paṭhān — the same people are also known as Pashtun.

Pashtun Pushtun Pashtoon

Related words

Rhymes for Pathan

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Pathan” mean?

The word “Pathan” means a member of the Pashto-speaking people of Afghanistan and north-west Pakistan; another name for Pashtun. In plain terms, an older or South-Asian-English name for the Pashtun ethnic group.

How do you pronounce “Pathan”?

“Pathan” is pronounced puh-TAHN (/pəˈtɑːn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Pathan” in a sentence?

Here is “Pathan” used in a sentence: “His grandfather was a Pathan from the North-West Frontier.”

What part of speech is “Pathan”?

“Pathan” is a noun.

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