afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought ˈaf-tər-ˌthȯt 

1

: an idea occurring later

2

: something (such as a part or feature) not thought of originally : something secondary

Examples of afterthought in a Sentence

Then I remembered, almost as an afterthought, to feed the cat.

The fact was hidden deep in the report, almost as an afterthought.

The lounge was added to the office as an afterthought.

Recent Examples on the Web

The resolution of the mystery becomes an afterthought, while the reality of what Sugar is doesn’t get enough room to fully get up to speed. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024

But after the initial promo, the league has been treated as an afterthought in some respects. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

after- + thought entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought -ˌthȯt 

1

: a later thought about something one has done or said

2

: something not thought of originally