afternoon

noun

af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün How to pronounce afternoon (audio)
Synonyms of afternoonnext
1
: the part of day between noon and sunset
2
: a relatively late period (as of time or life)
in the afternoon of the 19th century
afternoon adjective

Synonyms of afternoon

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Examples of afternoon in a Sentence

morning, afternoon, evening, and night I'll see you again tomorrow afternoon. It was early afternoon when I left. She spent the afternoon at the library. I remember the many rainy afternoons I spent reading at the library. She doesn't have class on Friday afternoons. It took us all afternoon to get there. It's going to be a long afternoon listening to lectures.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued a statement Friday afternoon defending its use of a state database, which is designed for criminal investigations, to look into activists who publicly criticized the agency’s policies. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 An armed man was killed in a shooting by Fremont police on Friday afternoon, according to a Fremont Police Department news release. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 25 July 2026 But the airport’s acoustics during rush hour on a Monday afternoon are less ideal. — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 Residents can expect winds to be southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 40 mph and humidity afternoon minimums 5 to 11% through Sunday. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for afternoon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afternone, from after- after- + none noon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afternoon was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing afternoon

Rhymes for afternoon

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Browse Nearby Words

afternight
afternoon
afternooner
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Cite this Entry

“Afternoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afternoon. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afternoon

noun
af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün How to pronounce afternoon (audio)
: the part of day between noon and sunset
afternoon adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on afternoon

Nglish: Translation of afternoon for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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