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

This styler has a pencil for spot-filling sparse brows and a soft spoolie for blending in product afterward. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026

The rebuttal will follow immediately afterward. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

The Columbus statue in Arrigo Park, and another one that was part of a fountain at 92nd Street and Exchange Avenue, followed soon afterward. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Shortly afterward, a southbound G train entering the station hit the frozen obstruction, tripping the train’s emergency brake. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 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