⏰ Later in time 🚶 Following behind 🚢 At the rear

after

∞ 1.0

At a later time than something else

adverb
/ˈæftər/

: después

She felt much better after taking some time to rest.
soon after
before and after
happily ever after

These guys kicked my butt month after month, right?

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Examples

And a few months after that, we broke up.
We're gonna talk about this after.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
And this is in the months after Tony died.
We'll we're going to do this right after the show.
What was your biggest fear after that wedding night?
Did that come before or after food and cooking?
What did you do after?

Livescreamers (2023)
And this was about a month after Noel was found.
So how have the years in DC and the years after change you?
Well, you're seeing me after the hardest year.

Synonyms

later

vsafter

∞ 1.0

At a time after now or after a time already said

is used for time measured from a specific event or point

afterward

vsafter

656 1.1

At a later time

is the same meaning but used more generally in speech and writing

later on

vsafter

383 1.0

At a time after now or after a time already said

focuses on the temporal relation from a specified event or point

subsequently

vsafter

Formal

114 4.8

After something else happens

is the everyday way to say the same sequence

thereafter

vsafter

Formal

91 4.1

From that time on

refers to a single subsequent time point rather than a continuous period

Antonyms

before

∞ 1.0

At an earlier time

Idioms

after all

∞ 3.0

To give a reason or say something is true despite doubts

one after another

123 2.3

Things follow each other without a break

day after day

Informal

81 2.2

Happens again and again for many days in a row

one after the other

32 2.0

With no pause between actions or events

week after week

20 1.0

Happening many weeks in a row

after my own heart

Informal

6 7.0

Something I like a lot and agree with

after a fashion

Informal

3 6.1

In a way that works a little but not very well

to throw good money after bad

3 7.5

To keep spending money on something that is already failing

after the dust settles

Informal

2 4.1

A time when things become calm and clear after a big change

to close the stable door after the horse has bolted

Informal

8.5

To do something useful only after it is already too late

after the Lord Mayor's show

9.9

A quiet time after a big public celebration when excitement ends

seventh water after kissel

Archaic

9.9

A thing that is very weak, confusing, and far removed from the original idea

Compounds

after-work

131 3.7

Happening after the workday ends

after-school

71 2.0

Happening after regular school classes finish, often as activities for students

after hours

55 3.2

At a time after normal business hours when most places are closed

after-hours

34 4.4

Happening or open after the usual closing time

sought after

30 4.1

Wanted by many people

morning-after pill

16 3.9

A pill you take after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy

accessory after the fact

Specialized

9 8.4

A person who helps or hides someone after they commit a serious crime

after-shave

2 3.4

Scented liquid you put on your face after shaving to soothe and refresh skin

point after

2 6.5

An extra score after a touchdown for a successful kick

point after touchdown

1 5.5

An extra point you score by kicking the ball through the goal posts after a touchdown

after part

Specialized

1 9.1

The back part of a ship

after-shave lotion

1 2.9

A scented lotion men use on their face after shaving to soothe and refresh the skin

after-work

Informal

3.5

A casual gathering with colleagues after the workday to relax

fore-and-after

Specialized

9.9

A sailing boat with sails that run along its length

How Soon

on the heels of

37 4.0

following

759 1.0

after

∞ 1.0

later

321 1.0

aftereffect

9 5.1

Surface Forms

after positive

Etymology

The word after comes from an old English word meaning 'later'. Think of afternoon — the hours 'after' noon — which shows why after means 'at a later time'.