after
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for after, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Prep — Later in time than; following.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
subsequent to
later than
Synonyms by Meaning
1. prep
Later in time than; following.
“Everyone felt sleepy after the long drive home.”
Opposites
How to use after
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
after all
after that
named after
day after day
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."
Full origin of after →Frequently asked questions
What does “after” mean?
The word “after” means later in time than; following. In plain terms, later than, or following, something in time or order.
How do you pronounce “after”?
“After” is pronounced AHF-tuh (/ˈæftəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “after” in a sentence?
Here is “after” used in a sentence: “We'll leave after lunch.”
What is another word for “after”?
Words with a similar meaning to “after” include post.
What part of speech is “after”?
Depending on how it is used, “after” can be a preposition, a conjunction and an adjective.
Where does the word “after” come from?
The word “after” comes from Old English. 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.".
Is “after” a common word?
“After” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “after” have?
“After” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: later in time than; following.
What is the difference between 'after' and 'afterward'?
'After' is a preposition or conjunction that needs something to follow it: 'after lunch,' 'after we left.' 'Afterward' (or 'afterwards') is an adverb that stands alone, meaning 'at a later time': 'we had lunch and left shortly afterward.' If a noun or clause follows, use 'after'; if nothing follows, use 'afterward.'
What is the difference between 'after' and 'before'?
They are opposites in sequence. 'After' means later in time than something — 'after the show.' 'Before' means earlier than something — 'before the show.' If one event follows another, it happens after it; if it comes first, it happens before it.
What is the opposite of 'after'?
The opposite is 'before,' meaning earlier in time. 'After the meeting' points to a later moment, while 'before the meeting' points to an earlier one. In spatial or order-of-sequence uses, 'ahead of' or 'in front of' can also serve as opposites of 'after.'
What is an example of 'after' as a preposition?
In 'we'll talk after the meeting,' 'after' links 'talk' to a later point in time — the meeting. Other examples include 'after midnight,' 'day after day,' and 'named after her grandmother.' As a preposition, 'after' always takes an object marking what comes first.
