aftermath

[af-ter-math, ahf-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aftermath ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that results or follows from an event, especially one of a disastrous or unfortunate nature; consequence: the aftermath of war; the aftermath of the flood.

a new growth of grass following one or more mowings, which may be grazed, mowed, or plowed under.

Origin of aftermath

1515–25; after + math a mowing, Old English mǣth; cognate with Old High German mād (German Mahd); akin to mow¹

Synonyms for aftermath

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aftermath ON THESAURUS.COM

1. outcome, result, upshot.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for aftermath

impact, outcome, end, eventuality, consequences, remainder, residual, upshot, issue, flak, payoff, residuum, waves

Examples from the Web for aftermath

Contemporary Examples of aftermath

Opponents of Muslims and immigrants across the continent are claiming vindication in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attack.
Europe’s Islam Haters Say We Told You So
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2015
According to the young man, both were dealing with the aftermath.
Hunt for Iraq Vet After Killing Spree
M.L. Nestel
December 16, 2014
In 2010 Cuba provided the largest contingent of medical staff during the aftermath of the huge earthquake that shook Haiti.
The Dark Side of Cuba’s Ebola Economy
James Bloodworth
December 9, 2014
In the aftermath of the American Revolution, George Washington was keen to rebuild his personal finances.
Washington’s Wheeler-Dealer Patriotism
William O’Connor
October 31, 2014
Since witnessed the aftermath of the attack near her home, Sara has discussed it many times with many people.
Acid Attacks on Women Spread Terror in Iran
IranWire
October 18, 2014

Historical Examples of aftermath

But in her sweet way she had given him her woman's aftermath of love.
Viviette
William J. Locke
The aftermath, however, does not come up to the expectations of the good Medium.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
A friendship which is the aftermath of love is the shadow after the substance.
Glory of Youth
Temple Bailey
We hear about "The jack of all trades," but the aftermath of the jack of all trades is "master of none."
Dollars and Sense
Col. Wm. C. Hunter
I need not detail the aftermath of our emergence from the atom.
Beyond the Vanishing Point
Raymond King Cummings

British Dictionary definitions for aftermath

aftermath

noun

signs or results of an event or occurrence considered collectively, esp of a catastrophe or disasterthe aftermath of war

agriculture a second mowing or crop of grass from land that has already yielded one crop earlier in the same year

Word Origin for aftermath

C16: after + math a mowing, from Old English mæth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aftermath

1520s, originally a second crop of grass grown after the first had been harvested, from after + -math, a dialectal word, from Old English mæð "a mowing, cutting of grass" (see math (n.2)). Figurative sense by 1650s. Cf. French regain "aftermath," from re- + Old French gain, gaain "grass which grows in meadows that have been mown," from a Germanic source, cf. Old High German weida "grass, pasture"