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.
Recalling the aftermath, Morrison tells how climbing brought him clarity.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
“Part of what we’ve seen is this big surge in long-term yields that started in the aftermath of the transition” to Warsh from former Fed Chair Jerome Powell, said Baird at Plante Moran.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
"The biggest night in the club's history in terms of opposition coming to town and we've managed to beat the champions," boss Matt Lawlor told Sky Sports in the aftermath of his side's stunning victory.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
The firm raked in business during the chaotic aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis but failed to reinvest those profits and even cut lawyers when many of its competitors were in growth mode.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
There must be some buildup, then the wave itself, then the aftermath of the flooding.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
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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.
