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

Hensby was 3 over at the time, but then went birdie-birdie afterward to get to 1 under. —Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025

The commission approved the initial helipad request in February 2017, and it was installed shortly afterward. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Parents can decide in advance how candy will be handled, such as allowing kids to enjoy sweets on Halloween night and then setting limits afterward. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025

Their responsibility afterward? —Essence, 24 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