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

All eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s final meeting of 2025 to see if the central bank will deliver the interest rate cut the market expects and, especially, what chair Jerome Powell says afterward about the outlook for monetary policy. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025

The best body scrubs and exfoliators also create a smoother base so that all of my potions absorb more easily and more deeply afterward. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025

The one of the best ways to watch online is with a subscription to Philo, which starts at $25 for the first month of service ($33 per month afterward). —Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025

The cast bursts into applause afterward. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

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