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, a fleet of decorated pedicabs was waiting outside to take everyone to the afterparty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

Afterward, the Hsieh family’s experts will be able to respond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

Afterward, they headed to any number of legendary barbecue outposts for brisket and ribs.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

Afterward, private investor sales can drive down the stock—one reason IPOs tend to underperform the market six months to a year after issuance External link.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Afterward, an older married couple approached me and insisted that they had to help Charlie.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

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