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

Butter knives The Cowboys are notably improved this season, but the real can’t-miss event comes afterward, when coach Sundance Wicks arrives for his postgame news conference. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026

Six days afterward, a person in a truck that looked similar to the suspect’s vehicle fled, and successfully eluded police, when a BART officer approached, authorities said. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Rinse and dry the sink thoroughly afterward to prevent new spots. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026

Memes circulated afterward suggesting that Petro had caved to Trump, or that the two were newfound amigos. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 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