afterthought

American  

[af-ter-thawt, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌθɔt, ˈɑf- /

noun

1. a later or second thought; reconsideration.

2. reflection after an act; an appropriate explanation, answer, expedient, or the like, conceived of too late for the occasion.

3. something added, as a part or feature, that was not included in the original plan or design.

   The vestry was added to the church as an afterthought.

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afterthought British  

/ ˈɑːftəˌθɔːt /

noun

1. a comment, reply, etc, that occurs to one after the opportunity to deliver it has passed

2. an addition to something already completed

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Etymology

Origin of afterthought

First recorded in 1655–65; after + thought ¹

Example Sentences

The sport was so closely woven into the fabric of Nordic culture that U.S. skiers knew they started every race as mere afterthoughts.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We tried to move on the best we could, and as far as someone having to pay for what they did, it was an afterthought,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Productivity benefits from AI are hardly an afterthought, Powell said at the January press conference.

From Barron's

Mental health cannot be an afterthought in a humanitarian response but must be central from the beginning.

From Los Angeles Times

As the Games continue in Milan, the sport itself seems to have become an afterthought in discussions of both athletes.

From BBC