prep
after
AHF-tuh
prep
1
Later in time than; following.
"We'll leave after lunch."
"After the meeting, she called her client."
2
In pursuit of, or searching for.
"The dog ran after the ball."
"Police went after the suspect on foot."
3
Named in honor of, or modeled on, someone or something.
"The park was named after a local hero."
"He painted after the style of Monet."
conj
1
Once; when a previous event has happened.
"After you finish your homework, you can go outside."
"She felt better after she'd slept."
adj
1
Later; coming next in a sequence.
"In after years, he regretted the decision."
"The after effects took months to fade."
How to Use After
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLater than, or following, something in time or order.
Easily confused with
afterward
Common pairings
after all
after that
named after
day after day
Word Forms
afters plural
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Etymology
From Old English æfter, going back to a Proto-Germanic word built from a root meaning "off, away" plus a comparative ending — literally something like "further away."