aftermath

noun

af·​ter·​math ˈaf-tər-ˌmath 

1

: a second-growth crop

called also rowen

2

: consequence, result

stricken with guilt as an aftermath of the accident

3

: the period immediately following a usually ruinous event

in the aftermath of the war

Did you know?

Breaking Down Aftermath

At first glance, one might calculate aftermath to be closely related to mathematics and its cropped form math. But the math of mathematics (which came to English ultimately from Greek) and the math of aftermath grew from different roots. Aftermath dates to the late 1400s and was originally an agricultural term, an offshoot of the ancient word math, meaning “a mowing.” The original aftermath came, of course, after the math: it was historically the crop cut, grazed, or plowed under after the first crop of the season from the same soil. (Math is still used in some parts of the United Kingdom to refer to a mowing of a grass or hay crop, as well as to the crop that is mowed.) It wasn’t until the mid-1600s that aftermath came to have the meanings now familiar to us, referring to the period of time following a destructive event, or to a negative consequence or result.

Synonyms

• aftereffect
• backwash
• child
• conclusion
• consequence
• corollary
• development
• effect
• fate
• fruit
• issue
• outcome
• outgrowth
• precipitate
• product
• result
• resultant
• sequel
• sequence
• upshot

Examples of aftermath in a Sentence

the surgery was successful, but she now had to deal with its aftermath: a huge bill

Recent Examples on the Web

The statement confirms that the president has spoken with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to extend federal support in the aftermath of the tragedy. —Jasmine Laws, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

In the aftermath of the 2008 election, as the severity of the Great Recession became more apparent, President Barack Obama and Vice President Biden worked with Democratic congressional leaders to craft what ... —Matt Weidinger, National Review, 31 Dec. 2024

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated the U.S. territory in September of 2017, the Puerto Rico government in 2021 hired Luma to handle the transmission and distribution of electricity on the island. —Alain Sherter, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024

The shooting and its aftermath prompted discussion, particularly on social media, about the U.S. healthcare system in general and UnitedHealth Group specifically. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

after- + math "mowing," going back to Middle English *math, going back to a short-vowel variant (perhaps of Germanic date) of Old English mǣþ, going back to Germanic *mēþa- (whence Old Saxon mād- —in māddag "mowing day"—, Old High German āmād "aftermath"), derivative with the nominal suffix *-to- from the base of *mēan- "to mow entry 2"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

aftermath

noun

af·​ter·​math ˈaf-tər-ˌmath 

1

: result entry 2 sense 1, consequence

felt tired as an aftermath of the race

2

: the period immediately following a usually destructive event

the aftermath of war

Etymology

Old English mæth "mowing," from māwan "to mow"

Word Origin

The second part of aftermath comes from the Old English word mæth, meaning "the result of a mowing or harvesting," that is, a crop. This word was derived from the Old English verb māwan, which survives today as our modern English mow. During a good growing season in England, a second and sometimes a third crop of hay could be grown after the first mowing. When this crop was cut, it was the aftermath. Since the 17th century, the meaning of aftermath has broadened to include all kinds of results, not just those of a second mowing.