afterpreposition
uk/ˈɑːf.tər/us/ˈæf.tɚ/A1 following in time, place, or order:
Let's go for a walk after breakfast.
Some people believe in life after death.
Her name came after mine on the list.
There's a good film on the day after tomorrow.
She waited until well after midnight.
US It's a quarter after four.
She just keeps on working, day after day, week after week (= continuously).
We've had meeting after meeting (= many meetings) to discuss this point.
Jessie seemed very small after (= in comparison with) Michael's children.
After (= despite) everything I've done for you, is this the way you treat me?
After (= because of) what she did to me, I'll never trust her again.
The children have to learn to tidy up after themselves (= after they have made things untidy).
She slammed the door after (= behind) her.
We ran after (= followed) him, but he escaped.
Could you lock up after you (= when you leave), please?
be after sb/sth informal
to be looking for someone or something or trying to find or get him, her, or it:
The police are after him.
I'm after a tie to go with this shirt.
I'm sure she's after my husband.
He's after Jane's job (= wants it for himself).
after you
used to say politely that someone can go in front of you or serve themselves with food before you:
"Can I pour you some coffee?" "Oh no, after you."
typical of or similar to the style of:
a painting after Titian
a concerto after Mozart
C2 used when giving someone or something the same name as another person or thing:
He was named Mark after his grandfather.
More examples
- I'll meet you down at the club after work.
- The boat sank almost immediately after it had struck the rock.
- She was amazed at how calm she felt after the accident.
- Apply the suntan cream liberally to exposed areas every three hours and after swimming.
- If we turn left at the next junction, we should hit the main road after five miles or so.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Before, after and already
- advance
- afore
- afterwards
- already
- ante
- as it is idiom
- following
- formerly
- front
- gone
- heretofore
- immediate
- in advance idiom
- in advance of sth/sb idiom
- later
- prologue
- shortly
- subsequent
- successor
- thereafter
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
After & behind
Pursuing
Polite expressions
Similar and the same
Idiom(s)
after all
afteradverb
uk/ˈɑːf.tər/us/ˈæf.tɚ/A2 later than someone or something else:
Hilary got here at midday and Nick arrived soon after.
I can't go next week - how about the week after (= the following week)?
not standard She got back at 4.30 and went to see Emilie after (= after she got back).
More examples
- He collapsed at work and died soon after.
- After nine years in Cambridge, Susannah and Guy moved to Watlington, where they lived happily ever after.
- Let's feed the kids first and have our dinner after.
- You have a good cry and you'll feel better after.
- Mary left the company and I found another job shortly after.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Before, after and already
- advance
- afore
- afterwards
- already
- ante
- as it is idiom
- following
- formerly
- front
- gone
- heretofore
- immediate
- in advance idiom
- in advance of sth/sb idiom
- later
- prologue
- shortly
- subsequent
- successor
- thereafter
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afterconjunction
uk/ˈɑːf.tər/us/ˈæf.tɚ/B1 at a time that is later than another event:
Three months after they moved out, the house was still empty.
Soon/shortly after we set off, the car started to make a strange noise.
I went to the post office straight/immediately after I left you.
More examples
- Soon after we set off, Molly said she felt sick.
- He bought a train ticket immediately after talking to her.
- I'm going home straight after netball practice.
- Soon after moving to London, she got a new job.
- A year after leaving his job, he is still unemployed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Before, after and already
- advance
- afore
- afterwards
- already
- ante
- as it is idiom
- following
- formerly
- front
- gone
- heretofore
- immediate
- in advance idiom
- in advance of sth/sb idiom
- later
- prologue
- shortly
- subsequent
- successor
- thereafter
See more results »