noun

afterthought

AFT-thawt

noun

Something thought of or added later, often as a minor addition rather than part of the original plan.

"The garage was added as an afterthought."

"He mentioned it almost as an afterthought at the end of the meeting."

How to Use Afterthought

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething added on later, without much planning, often making it feel less important.

Common mistake

Being treated as "an afterthought" (feeling unimportant to someone) is a common figurative use.

Common pairings

as an afterthought treated like an afterthought

afterthoughted past tense, afterthoughts plural, afterthoughts singular

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The garage was added as an _____.

A compound of "after" + "thought," likely modeled on the earlier word "forethought."

ought bought nought Fought wrought thought drought dreadnought overwrought