afterglow

noun

af·​ter·​glow ˈaf-tər-ˌglō 

1

: a glow remaining where a light has disappeared

2

: a pleasant effect or feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved

basking in the afterglow of success

Examples of afterglow in a Sentence

the afterglow of the sunset

Recent Examples on the Web

Manalapan isn’t the only place basking in the afterglow of Palm Beach’s prestige. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 May 2025

Denver’s locker room was buzzing in the afterglow of the dunk. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2025

The studio even came up with the perfect counterprogramming for Oppenheimer: It was called Coyote vs Acme, basking in the afterglow of Looney Tunes. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

But in the afterglow of this title, which took so much longer, at the end of road strewn with more disappointments than most of the others, this does not feel like that moment. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

after- + glow entry 2

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for afterglow

• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo
• ceo

Kids Definition

afterglow

noun

af·​ter·​glow -ˌglō 

1

: a glow remaining (as in the sky after sunsets) where a light has disappeared

2

: a pleasant feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved

the afterglow of success