after-hours

American  

[af-ter-ouuhrz, -ou-erz, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˈaʊərz, -ˈaʊ ərz, ˈɑf- /

adjective

1. occurring, engaged in, or operating after the normal or legal closing time for business.

   an after-hours drinking club.

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after hours Idioms  

1. After normal working hours, after closing time; also, after legal or established opening hours. For example, I haven't time while the shop is open, but I can see you after hours, or The restaurant employees sometimes stayed for a meal after hours. This term originally referred to laws governing business hours. It also gave rise to the term after-hours club, for a drinking club that remained open later than similar establishments. [Mid-1800s]

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of after-hours

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Dorsia hosts the Zenyara party series, an exclusive after-hours gathering that transforms the private lakeside estate into a nightclub.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

The agreement reinforces Broadcom’s standing as a key AI chip designer and led to a 2.4% stock increase after-hours.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Shares fell 19% to $112 in after-hours trading on Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The stock was up fractionally in the after-hours session Monday.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

A professor gave him a key for after-hours access to the library, where he spent much of his free time.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• midnight