afterlife
Americannoun
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Also called future life. life after death.
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the later part of a person's life.
the remarkably productive afterlife of Thomas Jefferson.
noun
Etymology
Origin of afterlife
Explanation
Afterlife is a noun describing the state of being after one’s death. Many cultures and religions have a concept of an afterlife. Otherwise, much of humanity would be quite uneasy. In Eastern religions, there is a notion of “karma” or even of “nirvana,” where, after a person dies, reincarnation takes the soul to a more elevated form of life. The Judeo-Christian tradition trusts in “heaven”; the ancient Egyptians buried precious belongings with their dead to accompany them to the afterlife. Regardless of origin, most religions want people to believe that life doesn't stop when your pulse does.
Vocabulary lists containing afterlife
Ancient Egypt - Introductory
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Ancient Egypt - Middle School and High School
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King Tut Day
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The track, The Shadowy Light, paired her voice with international musicians, in a song that reflected on death and the afterlife.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
Objects placed alongside the dead, including stone tools, animal bones, and pieces of ochre, may also hint at early beliefs about an afterlife.
From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026
Mr. Bird has history he’d like to forget, but, as Mr. O’Brien notes, he gave so many others memories they’ll always remember, spawning “an afterlife for Indiana State’s one shining moment.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
Poor Sylvia Plath has found little rest in the afterlife.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026
And yo, there better be an afterlife and Mateo better make it easy to find him like he promised.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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.
