After

/ˈæftər/

prepositionBeginner🔥Very CommonTime
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Later than; subsequent to.

/ˈæftər/

prepositionneutralBeginner
Time

Following in time or order.

We'll go after dinner.

💡 Simply: Coming later.

More Examples

2

After you.

How It's Used

General

"After the rain, the sun came out."

Narrative

"After he finished his work, he went home."

2

Later; afterward.

/ˈæftər/

adverbneutralBeginner
Time

Following something else in time.

I'll see you after.

💡 Simply: Later on.

More Examples

2

Let's talk after.

How It's Used

General

"He called after her."

Tip:Think of it as 'behind' in time.
3

Following a point in time or an event.

/ˈæftər/

conjunctionneutralBeginner
Time

Following an event or action.

After the game, we went for pizza.

💡 Simply: Following something that happened.

More Examples

2

I was tired after the long journey.

How It's Used

General

"After he left, I cleaned up."

Tip:Think of it as 'because of' a prior event.

Idioms & expressions

after all

Considering all the facts; in spite of everything.

"After all, he's still young."

From Old English *æfter, meaning "behind, following". Related to the preposition "aft" in nautical usage.

The word 'after' has maintained a consistent meaning throughout history, primarily indicating sequence.

Memory tip

Think of it as 'following' something.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"behind, following"

after a whileafter darkafter allafter thatafter hours

Common misspellings

afetrafer

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written