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Definition of afterword

afterword

/ˈæf.tɚˌwɝːd/
af · ter · word
Plural:afterwords
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afterword Lexical Profile

afterword Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A concluding section at the end of a book, article, or other literary work that provides additional commentary on the text, often written by the author or another contributor.

Example

"In the new edition's afterword, the historian reflects on how recently discovered archives have reshaped her original thesis."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse the noun "afterword" (a concluding section of a book) with its homophone "afterward" (an adverb meaning at a later time).

• Nearby Words

aftertaste
afterthought
afterward
afterword
afterworld
again
against

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century from "after-" and "word," modeled directly on "foreword" and as a calque of the German "Nachwort."

Cite this Entry

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