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 of afterward

• later
• after
• thereafter

Examples of afterward in a Sentence

He found out about it long afterward.

Afterward, she got a promotion.

Recent Examples on the Web

These were all things the Storm should have been celebrating afterward, but yet, for the second week in a row, the coaches and players will be headed back to the film room to figure out what went wrong. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026

Hunt didn’t get that message, though, and turned up soon afterward. —Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Bulls forward Matas Buzelis were at the Cubs game Friday and pictured hanging out afterward with Pete Crow-Armstrong. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

Its free comeback concert in March reportedly saw far lower attendance in non-ticketed public areas than anticipated, according to local media outlets, citing data from city authorities – prompting Hybe’s shares to drop sharply afterward. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

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