DictionaryAI

afternoon

af-tur-NOON/ˌæf.tɚˈnun/ahf-tuh-NOON/ˌɑːf.təˈnuːn/

Pluralafternoons

5 meanings of afternoon

Practice

  1. 1
    part of the daynouncountable
    The part of the day lasting from noon or lunchtime until evening or sunset.

    The meeting ran late into the afternoon.

    On long summer afternoons the children played outside until supper.

    UsageSay in the afternoon, but on Friday afternoon for a particular one, and this afternoon with no preposition (not incorrect: in this afternoon).

    Note

    Its old partner was forenoon, and Arthur Dent's Plaine Mans Path-way to Heauen (1601) sets the two side by side, with men serving God in the forenoon and the devil in the after noon.

  2. 2
    adverbarchaic
    During the afternoon, as the time at which something happens.
    Afternoon we came to Fuchen, or Xucheu, as others call it, where we were forced to stay to have the boat search’d by the Mandarine or customer.
    1752, Giovanni Francesco Gemelli Careri, anonymous translator
    I stayd at home till noone, and recᵈ of Crowders for 3 loods of shilling 2l. 8s.; and afternoone I went with my wife to Wakefeild, where by yᵉ way I spent at Toppitt 8d., and wee lay at Jackson’s all night.
    1646, Adam Eyre, “A Dyurnall, or Catalogue of All My Accions and Expences from the 1st of January, 1646–[7]”

    UsageToday the plural is used this way for a habit: she works afternoons.

    Note

    An adverb of time with no preposition at all: Adam Eyre's diary for March 1647 (1646 by the old reckoning) records that "afternoone I went with my wife to Wakefeild."

  3. 3
    greetinginterjectionabbreviationellipsis
    Ellipsis of good afternoon.

    "Afternoon," the postman called, handing over the parcel.

    She breezed past with a cheerful "Afternoon" and disappeared into the office.

    UsageLike good afternoon, it can say hello or goodbye; in a formal speech or letter, use the full good afternoon.

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    late stagenounfigurativelycountable
    The later part of something, often suggesting a stage marked by decline.

    She wrote her finest poetry in the afternoon of her career.

    By the afternoon of the empire, its borders had begun to crumble.

    UsageUsually the afternoon of something: the afternoon of her career.

    Similartwilight, autumn

    Oppositedawn

    Note

    This metaphor lays a life, a career or a reign over the hours of a day, so the peak has already passed and the shadows are lengthening. Shakespeare's Richard III uses it for a widow "in the afternoon of her best days."

  2. 5
    partynouncolloquialcountable
    A social gathering or party that takes place in the afternoon.

    To raise money for the animal shelter, the neighbors organized a charity afternoon with a raffle, live music, and homemade cakes.

    Their charity afternoons raised thousands for the local hospital each year.

    UsageUsually with a word for the activity before it: a charity afternoon, a craft afternoon.

    Similarparty, gathering, reception

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English afternone (after-non), formed from after- combined with noon.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Afternoon derives from Middle English afternone, also spelled after-non, and is formed from after- and noon. en.wiktionary.org