afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought ˈaf-tər-ˌthȯt 

1

: an idea occurring later

2

: something (such as a part or feature) not thought of originally : something secondary

Examples of afterthought in a Sentence

Then I remembered, almost as an afterthought, to feed the cat.

The fact was hidden deep in the report, almost as an afterthought.

The lounge was added to the office as an afterthought.

Recent Examples on the Web

To make prevention the centerpiece of the conversation, not the afterthought. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025

But on opening night, the Charlotte Bobcats were a complete afterthought thanks to the alarmingly-youthful-seeming Rolling Stones. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025

The property’s 21,500-square-foot spa is no afterthought. —Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025

Grisham was part of the deal that brought Juan Soto to the Yankees and was largely an afterthought. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after- + thought entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for afterthought

• aeronaut
• aforethought
• apricot
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot
• flowerpot
• huguenot

Kids Definition

afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought -ˌthȯt 

1

: a later thought about something one has done or said

2

: something not thought of originally