afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tər-wərd 

ˈaf-tə-

variants or afterwards

ˈaf-tər-wərdz 

ˈaf-tə-

: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter

found out about it long afterward

Synonyms

• after
• later
• latterly
• subsequently
• thereafter

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward.

Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the days afterward, a staggering number of climbers reached the top of that mountain to complete new records on the 14 peaks. —Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024

The ionosphere measured by phones in that area showed a clear spike in activity followed by a quick depletion afterward. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024

Ultimately, leadership conflicts are never truly beneficial—even if teams go through them and perform well afterward. —Igor Ryabenkiy, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Soon afterward it was announced that Seacrest would be taking over. —Julia Hunt, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afterward "behind, in the rear, at a later time," going back to Old English æfterweard "behind, following," from æfter after entry 1 + -weard -ward entry 2; Middle English afterwardes, efterwardes "at a later time," from afterward + -es -s entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tə(r)-wərd 

variants or afterwards

-wərdz 

: at a later time