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

The jury found that the trooper and another radioed a false location to headquarters before entering the apartment, and one of them decided to plant a gun at the scene afterward before his partner persuaded him against it. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Most of the protesters were arrested soon afterward; Song was apprehended eleven days later. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026

Guests can snag a photo with the Easter Bunny afterward, according to a statement. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026

Shortly afterward, Samantha Johnson and Jackson moved to Merced, where police records show that Sophia was held out of school and was instead made to stay in a metal shed in their backyard. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 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