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

They were also evacuated soon afterward, and the event canceled, to be rescheduled. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026

The new can come afterward, when the air has cleared and the moon is unfolding again. —Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026

Bearded with arm tattoos, Van Dyke said little during the nearly hourlong hearing, during which he was appointed a federal public defender who declined to comment afterward. —Gary D. Robertson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Swalwell dropped out of the California governor’s race shortly afterward, and then resigned his seat in Congress. —Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 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