afternoon

noun

af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün 

1

: the part of day between noon and sunset

2

: a relatively late period (as of time or life)

in the afternoon of the 19th century

afternoon adjective

Synonyms

• evening
• age
• autumn
• twilight

Examples of afternoon in a Sentence

morning, afternoon, evening, and night

I'll see you again tomorrow afternoon.

It was early afternoon when I left.

She spent the afternoon at the library.

I remember the many rainy afternoons I spent reading at the library.

She doesn't have class on Friday afternoons.

It took us all afternoon to get there.

It's going to be a long afternoon listening to lectures.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 47th took place the same afternoon, one state over in Colorado, though no footage has circulated. —Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025

Los Angeles Police Department officers were called to the Hollywood Tow yard Monday afternoon to look into a foul odor emanating from the car, which had been in the yard for some days. —Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025

The incident occurred late Friday afternoon at an intersection near the school's campus in Milwaukee. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025

By that afternoon, Gallagher was in the emergency room, and was rushed her into surgery. —Mollye Barrows, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afternone, from after- after- + none noon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing afternoon

• good afternoon
• make a day/night/morning/afternoon/evening of it
• the other day/night/morning/afternoon/evening
• this afternoon

Rhymes for afternoon

• forenoon
• honeymoon
• laocoon
• opportune
• pantaloon
• picayune
• tablespoon
• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon

Kids Definition

afternoon

noun

af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün 

: the part of day between noon and sunset

afternoon adjective