afterward

American  

[af-ter-werd, ahf-] / ˈæf tər wərd, ˈɑf- /

Or afterwards

adverb

1. at a later or subsequent time; subsequently.

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Etymology

Origin of afterward

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English æfterweard, alteration (with -r- of æfter after ) of æfteweard, equivalent to æfte-, æftan aft ¹ + -weard -ward

Explanation

If something happens afterward, it occurs after some original event or time. When kids get out of school at 2:00 p.m., teachers generally go home some time afterward. You might attend a reading by an author and then go to the reception afterward, or eat dinner with your family and then go out for ice cream afterward. You can also use the word afterwards — although afterward came first, from the Old English æftanweard, combining æftan, "after," and the direction suffix -weard. The original English form, aftward, was a nautical term.

Example Sentences

The U.A.E. said it would also exit OPEC+, a group of major oil producers that includes Russia, and gradually increase production afterward.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

The difference appeared in how the cells responded afterward.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026

“These are hard conversations,” she told me afterward.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026

And gauging his public reaction afterward, it appeared to unnerve McVay.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

Calm finally settled as we drew up chairs for our lunch, and a spot of coffee afterward.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• afterwards
• eventually
• late
• later
• next
• soon
• then
• thereafter