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
The Dutch chip maker’s results came in above Wall Street’s expectations, but the stock fell 5.8% to $243.98 in after-hours trading on Tuesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Alphabet and Tesla shares fell 3.1% and 4.6% after-hours, respectively, after the pair posted earnings after market close Wednesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 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
Just down the block an after-hours place had opened up.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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
Shares of eBay were trading fractionally higher after hours.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
In the end, the helicopter’s two crew members were rescued by a sea drone, after hours in the water, a first-of-its-kind mission.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
I should be resting after hours of beauty work.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
