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 21-year-old junior immediately could be seen favoring his right arm and went to the locker room, emerging a few minutes afterward with his arm in a sling. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

For years afterward, fictional executions brought the real images back. — Richard Nichols, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

For their part, the Irish — who lobbied for the flag — shrugged off the no-call afterward, at least publicly. — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

This seemed at the time like the biggest misstep of Stearns’ tenure, as the Brewers faded afterward and missed the playoffs. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 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