afternoon

noun

af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün How to pronounce afternoon (audio)
Synonyms of afternoonnext
1
: the part of day between noon and sunset
2
: a relatively late period (as of time or life)
in the afternoon of the 19th century
afternoon adjective

Examples of afternoon in a Sentence

morning, afternoon, evening, and night I'll see you again tomorrow afternoon. It was early afternoon when I left. She spent the afternoon at the library. I remember the many rainy afternoons I spent reading at the library. She doesn't have class on Friday afternoons. It took us all afternoon to get there. It's going to be a long afternoon listening to lectures.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Fans started arriving early in the afternoon local time, ready to catch the Red, White and Blue in a World Cup match on home soil. Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026 Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the main threats, and a tornado or two can’t be ruled out, especially in mid- to late afternoon in parts of eastern Kansas and western Missouri. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026 In 1994, games were scheduled in the mid-afternoon to suit European TV broadcasts, exposing fans to peak-sun temperatures across nine cities. John Samuels, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 Style it with comfy walking sneakers and a sweater slung over your shoulders for afternoon sightseeing, then dress it up with heeled sandals and some jewelry for dinner with friends. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for afternoon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afternone, from after- after- + none noon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afternoon was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afternoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afternoon. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

afternoon

noun
af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün How to pronounce afternoon (audio)
: the part of day between noon and sunset
afternoon adjective

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