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

Parents typically receive 67 percent of their salary during the first six months, dropping to 50 percent afterward. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Though, some members of the special committee have hit back at Trump, saying the criminal conduct surrounding the riots was committed by Trump and his supporters, not those who investigated the incident afterward. —Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. held its vote a day earlier, and my pal Josh Rothkopf and I (both members) sat down together afterward to discuss the results. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Not long afterward, following a personal appeal from the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, the government of Macri’s successor, Alberto Fernández, struck a deal to purchase the plane. —Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 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