Afrocentric

adjective

Af·​ro·​cen·​tric ˌa-frō-ˈsen-trik How to pronounce Afrocentric (audio)
1
: centered on or derived from Africa or the Africans
2
: emphasizing or promoting emphasis on African culture and the contributions of Africans to the development of Western civilization
Afrocentricity noun
Afrocentrism noun
Afrocentrist noun or adjective

Examples of Afrocentric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Most of the 2025 graduates started their junior high careers at the academy, which opened in 2018 as the country's sole all-boys public school using an Afrocentric curriculum, where educators are focused on community and loving one's own skin. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s SS18 show in Afrocentric braids: jumbo cornrows wrapped in twine outlined with face-framing micro rows. Essence, 24 June 2025 The biggest names will perform at the Festival Stage, while other stages will welcome other genres; local Mardi Gras Indians and brass bands perform on the Jazz & Heritage Stage, while the Congo Square Stage features Afrocentric and world music. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 On March 3 and 4, tens of thousands of revelers will parade in the streets across Trinidad, honoring the centuries-old Afrocentric celebrations that evolved into today’s Carnival festivities. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025 Badu has become known for her varying fashion staples of Afrocentric headwraps, scarves and other pieces of jewelry and hats that she's worn through her many performances. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2025 The bookstore’s popularity has allowed Lewis, who is a longtime practitioner in the field of Afrocentric mental health, to fulfill a dream. Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025 The vitality of Badu’s Afrocentric appeal, with its core features including bright hues, daring maxi dresses, and her most distinct and defining item—her headwrap pieces—posed beyond the emulation of Afrocentric style. Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Forced to choose between the spirit and legacy of New England reform as embodied in the likes of Oliver Wendell Holmes and McGeorge Bundy on the one hand and the Afrocentric vision of Wright on the other, Obama stands with Massachusetts every time. Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2010

Word History

Etymology

afro- + -centric

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afrocentric was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

“Afrocentric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrocentric. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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