Definition of 'after'
In addition to the uses shown below, after is used in phrasal verbs such as 'ask after', 'look after', and 'take after'.
1. preposition
If something happens after a particular date or event, it happens during the period of time that follows that date or event.
After 19 May, strikes were occurring on a daily basis.
After breakfast Amy ordered a taxi.
It wasn't until after Christmas that I met Paul.
After Don told me this, he spoke of his mother.
Marina cared for him after he seriously injured his eye several years ago.
2. preposition [PREP v-ing]
If you do one thing after doing another, you do it during the period of time that follows the other thing.
After completing and signing it, please return the form to us in the envelope provided.
...women who have changed their mind after deciding not to have children.
After flying from Los Angeles to London, allow four full days to adjust.
3. preposition
You use after when you are talking about time. For example, if something is going to happen during the day after or the weekend after a particular time, it is going to happen during the following day or during the following
weekend.
She's leaving the day after tomorrow.
...the party's annual conference, to be held the week after next.
After is also an adverb.
Tomorrow. Or the day after.
4. preposition
He walked out, and Louise went after him.
...people who were after him for large amounts of money.
5. preposition
They were after the money.
I did eventually find what I was after.
6. preposition
7. preposition
If you do something after someone, you do it for them, because they cannot or will not do it for themselves.
She used to mess up the floor and I had to clean up after her.
8. preposition
9. preposition
If one thing is written after another thing on a page, it is written following it or underneath it.
I wrote my name after Penny's.
10. preposition
11. preposition
To be named after someone means to be given the same name as them.
[British] Phillimore Island is named after Sir Robert Phillimore.
He persuaded Virginia to name the baby after him.
regional note: in AM, use for 12. convention
13. preposition
14. after all
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
preposition
2.
following; behind
they entered one after another
4.
concerning
to inquire after someone's health
11. after all
12. after you
conjunction
16. (subordinating)
at a time later than that at which
he came after I had left
adjective
17. nautical
further aft
the after cabin
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'after'
adverb
1.
behind in place
2.
behind in time; later; next
preposition
3.
behind in place; in back of
4.
a.
behind in time; later than
after lunch
b.
following
year after year
8.
following next to in order, rank, or importance
11.
concerning; about
she asked after you
conjunction
12.
following the time when; later than
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'after'
Example sentences containing 'after'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
Some of his compositions are named after birds and insects. Smithsonian Mag (2017)If you call or text after this time you will not be entered but will still be charged. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They married in 2012 shortly after the birth of their second son. Times, Sunday Times (2016)She beat the disease last year, months after a miscarriage. The Sun (2017)He came back incredibly fit, but he has just had one annoying injury after another. Times, Sunday Times (2016)He has weaknesses but he's very diligent in going after them. Times, Sunday Times (2017)My whole life went into meltdown for a few weeks after I netted the winning goal. The Sun (2017)I didn't look back after that. The Sun (2016)The guys are back together after their first year at college. The Sun (2009)He was given an official caution by cops after he admitted sending the snaps. The Sun (2009)He died shortly after arrival at hospital. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It had been hoped that after years of decline marriage was on the up again. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It was built around five years ago and we moved in soon after it was completed. Times, Sunday Times (2008)They inhabit such mutually exclusive worlds that seeing them one after the other is a jolt. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The polls emerged after five weeks of voting. Times, Sunday Times (2014)That was so hard to take after another amazing game. The Sun (2012)You are ready to aim high and go after the career and the home life you want. The Sun (2013)After a further few days it will all get much better. M. E. Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome - How To Live With It (1989)May have found it hard coming back after long layoff. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Digby came racing past soon after they had stopped. BomberBut this season has been one calamity after another. The Sun (2016)The fund was wound down last week after months of poor performance. Times, Sunday Times (2012)If you call or text after this time you will not be entered but will still be charged. Times, Sunday Times (2015)She took up the sport two years ago after an accident that left her paralysed from the chest down. Times, Sunday Times (2012)They are named after the Kentish town rather than the eponymous snack. Times, Sunday Times (2009)It's very sobering to come home to after a day in the office. The Sun (2015)The plumber's move coincidentally comes shortly after he released a new book. Christianity Today (2000)The short stretch of coastline is made up of one special, stunning bay after another. Times, Sunday Times (2012)But after further outraged contact from the mothers, it decided to withdraw the bed from sale. Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Trends of 'after'
Extremely Common. after is one of the 1000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
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Nearby words of 'after'
Source
Definition of after from the
Collins English Dictionary
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