aftermath
Americannoun
noun
-
signs or results of an event or occurrence considered collectively, esp of a catastrophe or disaster
the aftermath of war
-
agriculture a second mowing or crop of grass from land that has already yielded one crop earlier in the same year
Etymology
Origin of aftermath
1515–25; after + math a mowing, Old English mǣth; cognate with Old High German mād ( German Mahd ); akin to mow 1
Explanation
The aftermath of a car crash might include a broken fender, a sprained rib, and a lecture from a police officer. The consequences of an unpleasant event make up its aftermath. The math in aftermath does not refer to adding or subtracting numbers, rather it is related to a Germanic word for mowing, or harvest. If you have been mowed down by a class of excited first graders, the aftermath might be a bruised knee, a headache from all of the squealing, and red face from embarrassment.
Vocabulary lists containing aftermath
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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.
Protesters and police clashed in Albania's capital for a third straight day on Thursday, when the prime minister toured the aftermath of demonstrations that left government buildings badly damaged.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
In the three months through August, the company’s gross margin was 15.8%—back at levels last seen in the aftermath of the 2008-09 financial crisis.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026
Bryan also posted a screenshot of another message that appeared to have been sent by LaPaglia to a third party and outlined several alleged “options” available to her in the aftermath of the breakup.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
In the aftermath of a by-election, the focus is usually on the winner.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Again, I asked Mr. de Klerk why no action by the police had been taken in the aftermath of these crimes.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
