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Definition of afterward

afterward

/ˈæf.tɚ.wɚd/
(UK: afterwards)
af · ter · ward
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afterward Lexical Profile

afterward Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

North American At a later or future time; subsequently.

Example

"We attended the symphony concert and went out for dessert afterward."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for afterward
Antonyms
View all antonyms for afterward

Word Nuance & Usage

Both "afterward" and "afterwards" are completely interchangeable in meaning, though "afterward" is preferred in American English and "afterwards" is more common in British English.

• Nearby Words

aftersun
aftertaste
afterthought
afterward
afterword
afterworld
again

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English æfterweard, formed from æfter ('behind' or 'later') and the directional suffix -weard ('toward').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Afterward. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/afterward
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