hereafter

1 of 3

adverb

here·​af·​ter hir-ˈaf-tər 

1

: after this in sequence or in time

2

: in some future time or state

hereafter

2 of 3

noun

often capitalized

1

: future

2

: an existence beyond earthly life

belief in the hereafter

hereafter

3 of 3

adjective

archaic

: future

Synonyms

Adverb

• henceforth
• henceforward

Noun

• by-and-by
• future
• futurity
• offing
• tomorrow

Examples of hereafter in a Sentence

Adverb

Hereafter the two companies will operate in full partnership.

We don't know what will happen hereafter.

Noun

apologized, for being late to the meeting and assured his boss that there would be no such recurrences in the hereafter

hoped to be reunited with his deceased wife in the hereafter

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Our primary objective in aiding Ukraine, as when coming to the aid of Kuwait and South Korea, is to prevent aggression by our enemies from succeeding, so that such aggression becomes less likely hereafter. —Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2025

On March 27, the three siblings—hereafter to be known as the Jackson Three—reunited on the red carpet for the London opening night of MJ: The Musical, which is about their dad, Michael Jackson. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024

Noun

Now, a nearby planetary system has offered clues to our planet’s cosmic hereafter. —Quanta Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023

The Mass was officiated by Rev. Barry Windholtz, who spoke of the changes de Cavel might bring about in the sweet hereafter. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hereafter

• the hereafter

Rhymes for hereafter

• hereinafter
• thereinafter
• after
• drafter
• laughter
• rafter
• thereafter

Kids Definition

hereafter

1 of 2 adverb

here·​af·​ter hi(ə)r-ˈaf-tər 

1

: after this

2

: in some future time or state

hereafter

2 of 2 noun

often capitalized

1

: future entry 2 sense 1a

2

: life after death

belief in the hereafter