The Afro is a hairstyle that has been popular for decades. It is characterized by voluminous, curly hair that is often styled into a large, rounded shape. The Afro has a rich cultural history and is often associated with the African American community. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of Afro.
Definitions
The term “Afro” is short for “Afro-American,” which refers to people of African descent who live in America. However, the term “Afro” is most commonly used to describe a hairstyle. According to Merriam-Webster, an Afro is “a hairstyle in which tightly curled hair is allowed to grow out into a thick, bushy mass all over the head.”
Origin
The Afro hairstyle rose to popularity in the 1960s and 1970s during the Black Power movement. It was seen as a symbol of pride and resistance against the Eurocentric beauty standards that had been imposed on Black people. The Afro was also a way for Black people to embrace their natural hair texture and reject the use of harmful chemicals to straighten their hair.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of Afro is consistent across different dictionaries. It is defined as a hairstyle characterized by tightly curled hair that is allowed to grow out into a thick, bushy mass all over the head.
Associations
The Afro is often associated with the African American community and the Black Power movement. It is also associated with the 1970s disco era and is a popular hairstyle in many African countries.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for Afro, including:
- Natural hair.
- Curly hair.
- Kinky hair.
- Coily hair.
Antonyms
The antonyms of Afro are hairstyles that involve straightening the hair, such as:
- Straight hair.
- Relaxed hair.
- Permed hair.
The same root words
The root word of Afro is “African,” which refers to people or things that originate from Africa.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word “Afro:”.
- She wore her Afro proudly, embracing her natural hair texture.
- His Afro was so big, it almost touched the ceiling.
- The Black Power movement was known for its embrace of the Afro hairstyle.
- She spent hours detangling her Afro after washing it.
- The singer’s iconic Afro was a staple of the disco era.