hereafter

1 of 3

adverb

here·​af·​ter hir-ˈaf-tər How to pronounce hereafter (audio)
1
: after this in sequence or in time
2
: in some future time or state

hereafter

2 of 3

noun

often capitalized
1
: future
2
: an existence beyond earthly life
belief in the hereafter

hereafter

3 of 3

adjective

archaic
: future

Examples of hereafter in a Sentence

Adverb Hereafter the two companies will operate in full partnership. We don't know what will happen hereafter. Noun apologized, for being late to the meeting and assured his boss that there would be no such recurrences in the hereafter hoped to be reunited with his deceased wife in the hereafter
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
On March 27, the three siblings—hereafter to be known as the Jackson Three—reunited on the red carpet for the London opening night of MJ: The Musical, which is about their dad, Michael Jackson. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024 Her loss was then greatly felt among the music community, and rest of the world, at the 55th Grammys later that weekend and hereafter. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024
Noun
Now, a nearby planetary system has offered clues to our planet’s cosmic hereafter. Quanta Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 The Mass was officiated by Rev. Barry Windholtz, who spoke of the changes de Cavel might bring about in the sweet hereafter. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hereafter 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hereafter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hereafter was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hereafter

Cite this Entry

“Hereafter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hereafter. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hereafter

1 of 2 adverb
here·​af·​ter hi(ə)r-ˈaf-tər How to pronounce hereafter (audio)
1
: after this
2
: in some future time or state

hereafter

2 of 2 noun
often capitalized
1
2
: life after death
belief in the hereafter

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