afterthought

[ af-ter-thawt, ahf- ]

noun

1. a later or second thought; reconsideration.
2. reflection after an act; an appropriate explanation, answer, expedient, or the like, conceived of too late for the occasion.
3. something added, as a part or feature, that was not included in the original plan or design:

   The vestry was added to the church as an afterthought.

afterthought

/ ˈɑːftəˌθɔːt /

noun

1. a comment, reply, etc, that occurs to one after the opportunity to deliver it has passed
2. an addition to something already completed

Word History and Origins

Origin of afterthought¹

First recorded in 1655–65; after + thought ¹

Example Sentences

Students—both victims and the accused—are not even an afterthought; they are completely left out of the guidelines.

From The Daily Beast

Upward mobility and reward for work seems to be an afterthought for all concerned.

From The Daily Beast

In the American sommelier community, until very recently, South African wines have remained largely an afterthought.

From The Daily Beast

Now, this repeal was not an afterthought or an unintended consequence.

From The Daily Beast

Almost as an afterthought he flashed me another knowing grin, but again his eyes told me to let sleeping dogs lie.

From The Daily Beast

"Of course I couldn't tell you much," he added, with an afterthought.

From Project Gutenberg

"No, the fire was an afterthought and revenge," he added sternly.

From Project Gutenberg

And then as an afterthought, "But I think it would look just as pretty if it were red."

From Project Gutenberg

The fourth act was an afterthought, and was added at a later date.

From Project Gutenberg

This policy was not devised in order to set bounds to the expansion of the older colonies; that was an afterthought.

From Project Gutenberg