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

Austin Killips, a biological male, won a women’s race by more than five minutes in 2023, and female cyclist Paige Onweller called out the obvious fairness problem afterward. —Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Too many decisions of this magnitude are made emotionally and justified financially afterward. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 30 May 2026

Royals manager Matt Quatraro noted that Mears felt fine pitching, but discomfort settled in during the recovery afterward. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026

Fighting back tears afterward, Matty was still processing the sudden end to her career. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 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