DictionaryAI

afterwards

adverb
UKAHF-tuh-wuhdz/ˈɑːftə.wədz/AF-ter-werdz/ˈæf.tɚ.wɚdz/

US spellingafterward

1 meaning of afterwards

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    Later, after the thing that you have just talked about.

    He was nervous before the exam but felt much better afterwards.

    We played football in the rain, and afterwards we all had hot chocolate.

    UsageSay after dinner, but afterwards on its own: we went home afterwards.

    Similarlater, subsequently, after, then, thereafter

    Oppositebeforehand, before, earlier, previously

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Origin

It comes from an Old English word meaning “behind”. Today it can be seen as after + -wards.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts