afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tər-wərd 

ˈaf-tə-

variants or afterwards

ˈaf-tər-wərdz 

ˈaf-tə-

: at a later or succeeding time : subsequently, thereafter

found out about it long afterward

Synonyms

• after
• later
• latterly
• subsequently
• thereafter

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward.

Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Shortly afterward, CrowdHealth stepped in to cover the full cost of Remi's Hero Arm. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Shortly afterward, Andrea called the Ontario Provincial Police and reported her abuse. —Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Gaetz pulled out of consideration shortly afterward. —Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024

Hamas praised the strike in a statement shortly afterward. —Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afterward "behind, in the rear, at a later time," going back to Old English æfterweard "behind, following," from æfter after entry 1 + -weard -ward entry 2; Middle English afterwardes, efterwardes "at a later time," from afterward + -es -s entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

afterward

adverb

af·​ter·​ward ˈaf-tə(r)-wərd 

variants or afterwards

-wərdz 

: at a later time