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

Afterward, several jurors expressed their shock and exasperation; they’d sat through the whole trial, they told the press, and were ready to convict.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Afterward, he offered his diagnosis for the gap.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026

Afterward, he lived under heavy surveillance and was banned from leaving China until 2015, when he relocated to Berlin.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Afterward, thousands of giddy fans thronged the malecón, Havana’s seaside promenade, laughing and drinking rum.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Afterward, she lies nestled against me, her hair tickling my face.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

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