after
after
Pronunciation
after
/ˈæf.tər/
af-: /æf/
-ter: /tər/
Word Form Variations
The word "after" primarily functions as an adverb, preposition, conjunction, and occasionally an adjective. As such, it generally does not have singular/plural forms in the way nouns do, nor does it have typical verb conjugations.
However, we can consider variations in its usage:
Comparative/Superlative Adverb: There are no standard comparative or superlative forms (e.g., "afterer" or "afterest" are not used). We use phrases like "later" or "subsequently" for comparative meanings.
Adjectival Usage: When used adjectivally (e.g., "the after-effects"), it doesn't change form.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: Subsequent in time or order; following.
Synonyms: later, afterward, subsequently, thereafter
Antonyms: before, previously, earlier, antecedently
Preposition
Definition 1: Following in time; later than.
Example: "We'll meet after the show."
Synonyms: subsequent to, following
Antonyms: before, prior to
Definition 2: In pursuit or search of.
Example: "The dog ran after the ball."
Synonyms: pursuing, chasing, seeking
Antonyms: fleeing from, avoiding
Definition 3: Denoting a sequence or order, especially in succession.
Example: "Day after day, the rain continued."
Synonyms: successively, in succession
Antonyms: randomly, haphazardly
Definition 4: In imitation of; resembling.
Example: "The painting was modeled after a famous masterpiece."
Synonyms: like, in the style of, according to
Antonyms: unlike, dissimilar to, independent of
Conjunction
Definition 1: Following the time when.
Example: "She felt much better after she ate."
Synonyms: once, when (in a temporal sense)
Antonyms: before, until
Adjective
Definition 1: Later or subsequent; referring to something that comes at a later time. (Often used in compound forms like "after-effects" or "after-party.")
Example: "The after-effects of the medication were mild."
Synonyms: subsequent, later, ensuing, post-
Antonyms: preceding, prior, preceding, pre-
Examples of Use
Books: "It was only after he had left that she realized what a profound impact he'd had on her life." (From The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, August 2020)
Newspapers: "The city council approved the new zoning plan after hours of public debate." (From The New York Times)
Online Publications: "What comes after the initial public offering? Experts weigh in on long-term market trends." (From Forbes.com)
Film: "Happily ever after." (A common phrase concluding many fairy tales and romantic comedies, such as Shrek, 2001)
Music: "And after all, you're my wonderwall." (From the song "Wonderwall" by Oasis, October 1995)
Television: "We'll be right back after these messages." (A ubiquitous phrase used in television broadcasting before commercial breaks)
Podcasts: "Join us next week as we discuss the political fallout after the recent election." (From The Daily, a podcast by The New York Times)
Social Media: "So tired after a long day at work! 😴" (A common post on platforms like X or Instagram, frequently used by individuals)
General Public Discourse: "Let's meet after work for dinner." (A common spoken phrase in everyday conversation)
Gaming: "Collect all the power-ups and then go after the boss." (A common instruction or objective in video games)
10 Quotes Using After
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Accordingly, a 'genius' is often merely a talented person who has completed all of his homework. After all, what is genius but the power of applying attention to anything?" (Thomas Edison)
"What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality. After all, the greatest revolution is that of the human spirit." (Victor Hugo)
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. After all, it's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." (Albert Einstein)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. After all, the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Winston Churchill)
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. After all, if you want to be happy, be." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. After all, the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." (Robert Frost)
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world. After all, an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. After all, it's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." (Maya Angelou)
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. After all, the unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates)
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. After all, the only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Etymology
The word "after" has a long history, tracing its roots back to ancient Germanic languages and even further to a common ancestor for many European and Indian languages.
In simple terms, "after" comes from an Old English word, "æfter." This Old English word itself was formed from two parts: "of" (meaning "off" or "away") and "-ter," which was a suffix that made words comparative, like saying "more away" or "farther off." So, the original idea was about being "further behind" or "farther away."
The first known uses of "after" in Old English, dating back to before 1150, already carried meanings very similar to what we use today. It was used as an adverb to mean "behind" or "later in time." It was also used as a preposition to mean "behind in place," "later than in time," or "in pursuit of something."
Over time, the word evolved, and by around the 1300s, it also started to be used to mean "in imitation of." Its use as a conjunction (like "after she left") appeared in later Old English. So, while "after" has picked up some nuances over the centuries, its core meanings of "following in time or place" have been present since its very beginnings in the English language.
Phrases + Idioms Containing After
After all: Despite what has been said or expected.
Day after day: Repeatedly; continuously for many days.
After a fashion: To some extent, but not perfectly or very well.
Look after: To take care of someone or something.
Run after: To chase or pursue someone or something.
Go after: To pursue or try to obtain something.
After my own heart: Sharing one's own tastes, interests, or opinions.
After you: Said when allowing someone to go before oneself.
The day after: The following day.
After a while: After some time has passed.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of after from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
