afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought ˈaf-tər-ˌthȯt 

1

: an idea occurring later

2

: something (such as a part or feature) not thought of originally : something secondary

Examples of afterthought in a Sentence

Then I remembered, almost as an afterthought, to feed the cat.

The fact was hidden deep in the report, almost as an afterthought.

The lounge was added to the office as an afterthought.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cucumbers are good for more than just chopping into salads as an afterthought, including: Make cucumbers the centerpiece of a salad by adding fresh dill and a creamy dressing (such as ranch). —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2025

The Sosa saga will be an afterthought by the time the Cubs begin spring training Feb. 9 in Mesa, Ariz. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

In short, no one is looking to Biden to guide a party that has now been cast as almost as much of an afterthought in official Washington as the President himself. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025

For most cultural institutions, accessibility remains an afterthought. —M. Leona Godin, AFAR Media, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after- + thought entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought -ˌthȯt 

1

: a later thought about something one has done or said

2

: something not thought of originally