afterlife

noun

af·​ter·​life ˈaf-tər-ˌlīf 

1

: an existence after death

2

: a later period in one's life

3

: a period of continued or renewed use, existence, or popularity beyond what is normal, primary, or expected

a TV show with a long afterlife in syndication

Synonyms

• age
• twilight
• evening
• afternoon
• autumn

Examples of afterlife in a Sentence

Does he believe in an afterlife?

written in afterlife, his memoirs reveal a kinder, more forgiving man

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a term often used by pet owners to mean the afterlife. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Holland constructs a fragmented, kaleidoscopic portrait that blends real episodes with Kafka’s fiction and his strange afterlife as both cultural prophet and commercial brand. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025

The final part is a rather rambling segment philosophizing on proof of the afterlife—in line with dozens of similar texts from this era of psychical research. —Alice Vernon september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025

But then Cary Grant is busy right now — in the afterlife. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after- + life entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for afterlife

• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife

Kids Definition

afterlife

noun

af·​ter·​life -ˌlīf 

1

: an existence after death

2

: a later period in one's life