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

Football became an afterthought until Frank Scalercio, an assistant coach at Division II Sonoma State, tracked him down and hauled him back to Northern California. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024

Bikes are merely an afterthought, still viewed by the wider public as recreational rather than transformational. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 29 May 2024

A lot of wide receivers know what to say when they get asked about the dirty work that is usually an afterthought for a glamor position. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 28 May 2024

In tough times, eating can be an afterthought — but Amanda Mack knows the power of a warm meal. —Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2024

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