Epilogue
/ˈɛpɪlɒɡ/
Definitions
A section or speech at the end of a play, book, or other performance, serving as a concluding remark or summary.
/ˈɛpɪlɒɡ/
A concluding section to a literary work or performance.
The author included a short epilogue to wrap up the story's loose ends.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're watching a movie, and at the very end, they show a quick scene or tell you what happened to the characters later. That extra scene is like an epilogue. It's the 'what happened after' part of the story.
👶 For kids: The part at the end of a story that tells you what happens after everything is done.
More Examples
The epilogue offered a glimpse into the future, providing closure for the audience.
The film’s epilogue depicted the protagonists in their later years.
How It's Used
"The novel concludes with a poignant epilogue, reflecting on the characters' fates."
"The play's epilogue saw the actors break the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From Late Latin *epilogus*, from Greek *epilogos* ('conclusion, afterword'), from *epi-* ('upon, after') + *logos* ('speech, account').
The term 'epilogue' has been used since ancient Greek literature, initially to conclude plays and later extended to other literary forms.
Memory tip
Think of the 'epi' as meaning 'after' the main story, just as an afterword concludes a piece of writing.
Word Origin
"afterword"