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 of afterward

• 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

Kenny Omega retained his AEW World Championship against Kevin Knight, but the real story unfolded afterward as Will Ospreay dramatically defied the Death Riders, saving Omega from a post-match attack and hinting at a major shift in alliances. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Because Kit Carson is so close to the I-15, getting in and out is quick and easy, allowing residents of many nearby communities to compete with each other and often go out for drinks afterward. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

And then afterward, go out with your friends to a bar and argue about it. — Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 26 July 2026

Even the president’s jokes about his bad jokes fell flat, and he was widely ridiculed for the comedy routine afterward. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

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