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

• later
• after
• thereafter

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward.

Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a beat of levity that carries new weight, Geralt quietly curses afterward. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

Florida had a couple looks in overtime but, like so many other times during the game, couldn’t capitalize and fell in the shootout shortly afterward. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025

To find such companies, CNBC Pro screened data from Bespoke Investor Group looking for stocks that tend to top Street forecasts and rally afterward. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025

Valdivia and White, who were suspended from the Taranto case, were in attendance in the audience of the hearing but declined to comment to reporters afterward. —Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025

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