afternoon
afternoon
Pronunciation
afternoon
/ˌæf.tərˈnuːn/
af-: /ˌæf/ - The vowel sound is similar to the 'a' in 'cat', followed by a 'f' sound.
ter-: /tər/ - The 't' sound, followed by a schwa vowel sound and an 'r' sound.
noon: /nuːn/ - The 'n' sound, followed by a long 'oo' sound, and another 'n' sound.
Word Form Variations
The term "afternoon" primarily exists as a singular noun. There are no widely accepted plural forms or other common word form variations (such as verb, adjective, or adverb forms directly derived from "afternoon" in common usage).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The period of time spanning from midday (noon) until evening, generally encompassing the hours when the sun begins its descent but before dusk.
Synonyms: PM, postmeridian, eventide (less common for early afternoon)
Antonyms: Morning, forenoon, dawn
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him. The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats. At one end of it a coloured poster, too large for indoor display, had been tacked to the wall. It depicted simply an enormous face, more than a metre wide: the face of a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features. Winston made for the stairs. It was no use trying the lift. Even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present the electric current was cut off during daylight hours. It was part of the economy drive in preparation for Hate Week. The flat was on the seventh floor, and Winston, who was thirty-nine and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, went slowly, resting several times on the way. On each landing, opposite the lift-shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those faces which you could never quite make out whether they were smiling or not. The voice came from an oblong metal plaque on the right-hand wall. Winston turned a switch and the voice grew fainter. He could not make it altogether inaudible, but at least he could make it so that it was no longer intelligible. He went over to the window, a tiny alcove where he could just manage to sit without being seen from outside. The outer air was cold enough, but indoors, on the other hand, it was so warm that he had to close the window. He put on his shirt and trousers. He then pulled out a packet of Victory Cigarettes and lit one. The flat was small, but he had managed to make it comfortable enough with a few pieces of furniture. He sat down at the table and began to work. It was a pleasant afternoon, and the sun was shining." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"The first two hours of the afternoon seemed to stretch interminably, each minute a tiny torment as Hermione waited for the bell." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
Newspapers:
"A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the region, with forecasters warning of large hail and damaging winds possible this afternoon." (Local News Report, The Daily Herald, 2025)
"The stock market saw a late-afternoon rally, recovering some of the losses from earlier in the day." (The Wall Street Journal, 2025)
Online Publications:
"What to Do in London on a Rainy Afternoon" (Travel Blog, Lonely Planet, 2025)
"Experts weigh in on the economic implications of rising interest rates this afternoon." (Financial News Website, Bloomberg.com, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (News Broadcast): "Good afternoon, and welcome to the five o'clock news. Our top story tonight..." (Typical opening of an afternoon news program)
Music: "Just another lonely afternoon, waiting for you to come home." (Lyrics from a contemporary pop song, exact song varies)
Film: (Dialogue in a scene where characters are planning an activity) "Let's meet at the park this afternoon around three."
Social Media (X/Twitter): "Enjoying a beautiful afternoon walk in Central Park! #NYC #SummerVibes" (@NatureLoverNYC, 2025)
Podcast: "In this afternoon's episode, we're diving deep into the history of ancient civilizations." (Podcast description, The History Buffs Podcast, accessed, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"Have a good afternoon!" (Common polite farewell)
"What are you doing this afternoon?" (Everyday question when making plans)
"I have an appointment this afternoon at 2 o'clock." (Common statement about one's schedule)
"The kids are playing in the backyard all afternoon." (Casual observation about children's activities)
10 Famous Quotes Using Afternoon
"What did you do this afternoon? Nothing much. Walked around, saw the city, got some lunch. Oh, and then I met a cat." (Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart)
"There is nothing like a nice cup of tea to make an afternoon feel perfect." (Agatha Christie, A Murder is Announced)
"I have been bending over a book for the best part of the afternoon, and I must confess that I am now completely baffled." (Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea. In the afternoon I would sometimes walk down to the beach and swim in the ocean, or sit on the sand and watch the waves." (Isak Dinesen, Out of Africa)
"On a quiet afternoon by a lake, the only disturbance is the thought of a boat." (Vance Havner, Christian evangelist)
"How do you like to go up in a swing, / Up in the air so blue? / Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing / Ever a child can do! / Up in the air and over the wall, / Till I can see so wide, / Rivers and trees and cattle and all / Over the countryside— / Till I look down on the garden green, / Down on the roof so brown— / Up in the air I go flying again, / Up in the air and down! / I remember that afternoon, that day, those swings." (Robert Louis Stevenson, A Child's Garden of Verses, paraphrased for direct "afternoon" use)
"An afternoon nap is a great way to enjoy two days in one." (Richard Curtis, British screenwriter)
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him... It was a pleasant afternoon, and the sun was shining." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"What did you say your name was, young man? And why are you interrupting my peaceful afternoon?" (Often attributed to various historical figures, representing a general sentiment of interrupted leisure)
"The best thing to do on a rainy afternoon is to read a good book." (Commonly attributed to various authors and educators, reflecting a popular pastime)
Etymology
The word "afternoon" is pretty straightforward in its origins! It literally means "after noon."
It comes from Middle English, which was the form of English spoken roughly between 1150 and 1500. The earliest known use of "afternoon" is recorded around 1300.
Initially, the word "noon" itself had a slightly different meaning. Back then, "noon" (derived from the Latin "nona hora" meaning "ninth hour") often referred to 3:00 PM, because it was the ninth hour after sunrise (if you started counting at 6:00 AM). Over time, the meaning of "noon" shifted to what we understand it to be today: 12:00 PM or midday. This shift happened gradually between the 12th and 14th centuries, likely due to changes in daily routines, meal times, and even how time was kept.
So, when "afternoon" first appeared, it meant the time after 3:00 PM. As "noon" shifted to midday, "afternoon" naturally came to mean the period after 12:00 PM and before evening.
Interestingly, Middle English also had a similar word, "aftermete," which meant "after the noon meal." This shows how strongly the concept of the midday meal was tied to the timing of "noon" and the subsequent "afternoon."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Afternoon
Good afternoon: A common greeting used from noon until evening.
Late afternoon: Referring to the latter part of the afternoon, closer to evening.
In the afternoon: A general phrase indicating an event or activity happening during that time.
This afternoon: Referring to the current or upcoming afternoon of the present day.
Every afternoon: Indicating a recurring event or habit.
Afternoon delight: (Idiomatic, though less common in formal contexts) Referring to a pleasant or enjoyable activity, often of a lighthearted or sensual nature, occurring in the afternoon.
Lazy afternoon: Describing an afternoon spent relaxing and doing little.
Afternoon tea: A traditional light meal served in the afternoon, often with sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
The afternoon of one's life: (Metaphorical) Referring to the later stages of a person's life, analogous to the sun setting.
Afternoon pick-me-up: Something, often a drink or snack, consumed to boost energy or mood in the afternoon.
Past its afternoon: (Original/Lesser-known) Implies something is past its prime or peak, drawing a parallel to the day's progression.
An afternoon's work: The amount of work that can be accomplished within an afternoon.
To while away the afternoon: To spend the afternoon idly or pleasantly.
Afternoon slump: The feeling of decreased energy or alertness often experienced in the mid-afternoon.
A beautiful afternoon: A common descriptive phrase for pleasant weather conditions during this time.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of afternoon from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
