afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tər-wərd 

ˈaf-tə-

variants or afterwards

ˈaf-tər-wərdz 

ˈaf-tə-

: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter

found out about it long afterward

Synonyms of afterward

• later
• after
• thereafter

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward.

Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prosecutors also heavily questioned Banfield's statements on Thursday, particularly in light of his romantic affair with Magalhães that began in the months before his wife's death and continued afterward. —Olivia Diaz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026

Management fees are typically around 2% during the initial investment period and lower afterward. —Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

She was hospitalized afterward for three days for injuries, the lawsuit states, and attempted suicide in following months. —Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

Witnesses of the incident told TMZ at the time that Jolie-Pitt, who was not wearing a helmet, experienced hip pain afterward and seemingly sustained a head injury. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afterward "behind, in the rear, at a later time," going back to Old English æfterweard "behind, following," from æfter after entry 1 + -weard -ward entry 2; Middle English afterwardes, efterwardes "at a later time," from afterward + -es -s entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tə(r)-wərd 

variants or afterwards

-wərdz 

: at a later time