What does after-hours mean? After-hours describes something that happens after normal or legal hours of operation for a business or service, as in The after-hours party starts as soon as the bar closes for the night. After-hours can describe something that happens after its normal time, such as a business meeting that takes place after the close of the business day. In the US, many business offices close at 5 pm. A meeting that took place at 7 pm, for example, would be an after-hours meeting. After-hours can also describe something that happens after the allotted time. It’s generally used in situations in which something can be conducted after a business or program has ended and will still be honored. This use is most often used in reference to the stock market and investing, such as in the phrase after-hours trading. The New York Stock Exchange, for example, is only open from 9:30 am to 4 pm, but trading can be conducted at any time of the day. Finally, after-hours can simply describe something that happens late at night. You might find a restaurant that serves an after-hours breakfast, meaning they serve breakfast foods late at night, especially after midnight. Example: Joanie tried after-hours trading but found that she made more money during regular trading hours.
First recorded in 1925–30
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Seagate Technology’s stock was staging a comeback in after-hours trading Tuesday as investors got a fresh sign of ongoing demand for storage products.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
AMD’s stock fell 2.3% in Thursday’s trading session, but were up 1.7% in after-hours trading, at last check.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
The stock gained 6.5%, to $89.26, in after-hours trading.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The electric automaker’s shares fell in after-hours trading as earnings missed estimates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The other nights the boarders had to stay elsewhere because of an after-hours club the owners ran on the weekends.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Tesla's stock also dropped by 4% in after hours trading.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Some of the babies passed after hours, some longer.
From Slate ● Jul. 19, 2026
SpaceX shares rose slightly in after hours trading on Tuesday.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
He first confessed to police after hours of questioning at his New Jersey home without being read his Miranda warnings, which inform suspects about their rights.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
There are places to get a meal after hours, but none of these places particularly suit Chandresh’s tastes.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
