afterglow

noun

af·​ter·​glow ˈaf-tər-ˌglō 

1

: a glow remaining where a light has disappeared

2

: a pleasant effect or feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved

basking in the afterglow of success

Examples of afterglow in a Sentence

the afterglow of the sunset

Recent Examples on the Web

But last night, in the afterglow of her (alleged) nuptials, Del Rey gave us a taste of her bridal-adjacent style. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024

Sure, Bill and Jo are happy now, in the afterglow of tornado chasing. —Katla McGlynn, Vulture, 17 July 2024

The shoes feel especially appropriate in the afterglow of the Olympics: originally designed as track shoes, Nike released the Cortez to the public in 1972 in conjunction with the Munich Games. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2024

The Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign should take a moment to celebrate but should not bask in the afterglow too long. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

after- + glow entry 2

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

afterglow

noun

af·​ter·​glow -ˌglō 

1

: a glow remaining (as in the sky after sunsets) where a light has disappeared

2

: a pleasant feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved

the afterglow of success