Definition of 'after'

Word Frequency

after

(ɑːftəʳ , æftəʳ)

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 is also a conjunction.

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

If you go after someone, you follow or chase them.

He walked out, and Louise went after him.

...people who were after him for large amounts of money.

Synonyms: following, chasing, pursuing, on the hunt for More Synonyms of after

5. preposition

If you are after something, you are trying to get it.

They were after the money.

I did eventually find what I was after.

Synonyms: looking for, searching for, in search of, trying to find More Synonyms of after

6. preposition

If you call, shout, or stare after someone, you call, shout, or stare at them as they move away from you.

'Come back!' he called after me.

Claire stared after him until he disappeared around a corner.

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.

Synonyms: because of, in the wake of, in the aftermath of, on account of More Synonyms of after

8. preposition

If you tell someone that one place is a particular distance after another, you mean that it is situated beyond the other place and further away from you.

A few kilometres after the village, turn right to Montelabate.

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

You use after in order to give the most important aspect of something when comparing it with another aspect.

After Germany, America is Britain's second-biggest customer.

Methane is often regarded as the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide.

Synonyms: apart from, barring, excepting, next to More Synonyms of after

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

Synonyms: with the same name as, in the name of, in honour of, the same as More Synonyms of after

12. convention

If you say 'after you' to someone, you are being polite and allowing them to go in front of you or through a doorway before you do.

[politeness]

'After you.'—'Not at all, Mr Bird, after you.'

13. preposition

After is used when telling the time. If it is, for example, ten after six, the time is ten minutes past six.

[US]

14. after all

15.

one after the other

16.

day after day/year after year

More Synonyms of after

Word Frequency

after in British

(ˈɑːftə )

preposition

following in time; in succession to

after dinner

time after time

following; behind

they entered one after another

in pursuit or search of

chasing after a thief

he's only after money

concerning

to inquire after someone's health

considering

after what you have done, you shouldn't complain

next in excellence or importance to

he ranked Jonson after Shakespeare

in imitation of; in the manner of

a statue after classical models

in accordance with or in conformity to

a man after my own heart

with a name derived from

Amaya was named after her grandmother

10. US

past (the hour of)

twenty after three

11. after all

12. after you

adverb

13.

at a later time; afterwards

14.

coming afterwards; in pursuit

15. nautical

further aft; sternwards

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

Word origin of 'after'

Old English æfter; related to Old Norse aptr back, eptir after, Old High German aftar

Word Frequency

after in American

(ˈæftər ; afˈtər; ˈɑftər ; äfˈtər)

adverb

behind in place

behind in time; later; next

preposition

behind in place; in back of

behind in time; later than

after lunch

following

year after year

in search of

pursuing, hounding, urging, etc.

they are after me for a donation

as a result of; on account of

after what has happened, he won't go

in spite of

after all we had done, he was still ungrateful

following next to in order, rank, or importance

in accordance with; in the manner of; patterned on the model of

a novel after Hemingway's style

10.

for; in honor of

a child named after Lincoln

11.

concerning; about

she asked after you

conjunction

12.

following the time when; later than

adjective

13.

next; later

14.

nearer the rear (esp. of a ship or aircraft)

Word origin of 'after'

ME < OE æfter (akin to OHG aftar & MHG after) < of, off + -ter, old compar. suffix

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. MacIntyre, Anne 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. Len Deighton 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)