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 of afterlife

• 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

And the Mass, in its very Catholic nature, is really focused on … repose for the departed, to bring their souls from purgatory to heaven in the afterlife. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026

Just the afterlife of a season full of promise. —Jared Weiss, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Then comes the afterlife of a garment. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

Some cultures and traditions have structured approaches to conversations around mortality, questions around the afterlife and practices around grief, while others do not. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 May 2026

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
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife
• knife

Kids Definition

afterlife

noun

af·​ter·​life -ˌlīf 

1

: an existence after death

2

: a later period in one's life