noun
Common
aftermath
AHF-tuh-math
Aftermath (noun) means the period or situation that results from a significant, usually damaging, event. Example: “In the aftermath of the argument, neither of them spoke for an hour.”
noun
1
The period or situation that results from a significant, usually damaging, event.
"In the aftermath of the argument, neither of them spoke for an hour."
"In the aftermath of the storm, thousands were left without power."
"The company struggled to recover in the aftermath of the scandal."
How to use aftermath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe messy or difficult period right after something bad has happened.
Memory tip
Almost always used with "in the aftermath of," followed by the event.
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Common pairings
in the aftermath of
the aftermath of war
deal with the aftermath
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Word forms
- Plural
- aftermaths
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the _____ of the argument, neither of them spoke for an hour.
Etymology
From "after" + an old word "math," meaning a mowing — the aftermath was originally the second cutting of grass that grows back after the first hay harvest.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “aftermath” mean?
The word “aftermath” means the period or situation that results from a significant, usually damaging, event. In plain terms, the messy or difficult period right after something bad has happened.
How do you pronounce “aftermath”?
“Aftermath” is pronounced AHF-tuh-math (/ˈæf.tɚˌmæθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “aftermath” in a sentence?
Here is “aftermath” used in a sentence: “In the aftermath of the storm, thousands were left without power.”
What part of speech is “aftermath”?
“Aftermath” is a noun.
Is “aftermath” a common word?
“Aftermath” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "aftermath" and "consequences"?
"Aftermath" refers to the whole period or situation that follows a significant, usually damaging event, emphasizing the conditions and time afterward. "Consequences" are the specific results or effects that flow from an action. Aftermath describes the state that follows; consequences describe the particular outcomes.
Does "aftermath" always describe something negative?
In everyday use, "aftermath" almost always follows a damaging or destructive event, such as a war, storm, or accident, and so it carries strongly negative connotations. While it can occasionally follow a neutral event, readers generally expect it to signal difficult conditions left behind.
What preposition follows "aftermath"?
"Aftermath" is normally followed by "of," as in "the aftermath of the flood." It very commonly appears in the fixed phrase "in the aftermath of," meaning during the period that immediately follows an event.
What words commonly go with "aftermath"?
Frequent collocations include "immediate aftermath," "in the aftermath of," and "the aftermath of the war/disaster/crisis." It pairs most naturally with damaging events like storms, battles, accidents, and financial crashes.
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