1
a
: behind in place
people lined up one after another
b(1)
: subsequent to in time or order
20 minutes after 6
(2)
: subsequent to and in view of
after all our advice
2
—used to indicate the object of a stated or implied action
go after gold
was asking after you
3
: so as to resemble: such as
a
: in accordance with
He's a man after my own heart.
b
: with the name of or a name derived from that of
named after his father
c
: in the characteristic manner of : in imitation of
writing after the manner of Hemingway
see also take after
: subsequently to the time when
We will come after we make plans.
1
: later in time
in after years
2
[Middle English, probably from afte aft entry 1 + -er -er entry 1]
: located toward the rear and especially toward the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft
an after cabin
af·ter
ˈäf-tər 
chiefly Ireland
—used with a present participle to indicate action completed and especially just completed
the poor old man is after dying on me—
J. M. Synge
J. M. Synge1
a
—used as the first part of a compound to indicate an event or entity that follows or results from the thing denoted by the second part of the compound
afterbirth
afterlife
afternoon
b
—used as the first part of a compound to indicate an event or entity of the same nature as the thing denoted by the second part of the compound but which follows that event or entity and is less intense or significant
afterglow
aftershock
afterthought
2
—the rear or lower part
afterdeck
Examples of after in a Sentence
Adverb
Don't tell them until after.
I expected her then, but she arrived the week after.
He ate lunch and left just after.
Preposition
We arrived shortly after six o'clock.
He returned after 20 years.
before, during, and after the war
He left just after nightfall.
He finished the exam after me.
Call me after your arrival.
She was going to arrive tomorrow but I'm now expecting her the day after tomorrow instead.
He left after an hour.
How can you say that after what happened last night?
It's the highest mountain after Mount Everest.
Conjunction
He returned after 20 years had passed.
Don't tell them until after they've had dinner.
He left just after the show ended.
Call me after you arrive.
He finished the exam after I did.
It happened not long after he graduated from college.
Adjective
had heard that the after section of the cruise ship had more spacious cabins
in after years the government set up a special fund for disabled veterans of the war
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Greene, People.com, 25 June 2025
Kyle made the move from Toronto to Edmonton after finishing school in 2019, and launched Kyle & Co soon after.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Creative liberties Harry went to the doctor after experiencing two symptoms (played for cringey laughs from viewers).
—Angela Haupt, Time, 27 June 2025
Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Following the show’s taping, the two also stepped out for the after party together.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
Damenica Ellis, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
Russia’s Belaya Airbase before and after drone strikes A pair of satellite images show the before-and-after of Belaya Airbase in Russia, highlighting visible damage from a drone strike.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for after
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.
Adverb
Soon after, settling into their new routine, Michelle caught a cold — the kind kids bring home from daycare or school.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 25 June 2025
Kyle made the move from Toronto to Edmonton after finishing school in 2019, and launched Kyle & Co soon after.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Preposition
The sense of relief for Wales after qualifying, at last, for their first major women’s tournament is palpable and powerful.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Creative liberties Harry went to the doctor after experiencing two symptoms (played for cringey laughs from viewers).
—Angela Haupt, Time, 27 June 2025
Adjective
In this case, both parties agreed that the after value was $106,750.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Following the show’s taping, the two also stepped out for the after party together.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
The Ada Jenkins Center provides family financial and utility assistance, a food pantry, community garden, a community refrigerator, gym facilities, freedom school and an after school program serving children in K-5 who are behind their grade level.
—Damenica Ellis, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025
Russia’s Belaya Airbase before and after drone strikes A pair of satellite images show the before-and-after of Belaya Airbase in Russia, highlighting visible damage from a drone strike.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for after
Cite this Entry
“After.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/after. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
after
2 of 4 preposition1
a
: behind in time or place
following after us
after dinner
b
: below in rank or order
the highest mountain after Mount Everest
2
: for the reason of catching, seizing, or getting
ran after the ball
go after gold
3
a
: with the name of or a name derived from that of
named after his father
b
: in imitation of
patterned after a Gothic cathedral
after
3 of 4 conjunction
: later than the time when
opened the door after she knocked
after
4 of 4 adjective1
: later in time
in after years
2
: located toward the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft
Etymology
Adverb
Old English æfter "behind, later"
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