after
Preposition:
- Later in time than; following in time: Indicates that one event occurs later than another.
- Behind in place or order: Indicates a position behind something else.
- In pursuit or search of: Used to indicate the object of a chase or desire.
- Concerning; about: Used to ask for or give information about something.
- In imitation of; in the style of: Indicates something is done in the manner of someone or something else.
- In spite of; despite: Used to concede a point.
- According to the nature or desires of; in conformity with: Indicates alignment with something.
Adverb:
- At a later time; afterward: Refers to a time following an event.
- Behind in place: Refers to a position to the rear.
Conjunction:
- Following the time when: Used to introduce a clause indicating an event that happens later than another.
Adjective:
- Later; subsequent: Refers to something that comes next.
- Located toward the rear, especially of a ship or aircraft: A nautical or aeronautical term.
Preposition: We went for a walk after lunch. (Indicates time sequence.) Shut the door after you. (Indicates position/order.) The police are after the thief. (Indicates pursuit.) He asked after your health. (Indicates concern/inquiry.) It's a painting after Picasso. (Indicates style/imitation.) After all his promises, he still didn't help. (Indicates concession.) He was named after his grandfather. (Indicates conformity/namesake.)
Adverb: They arrived soon after. (Indicates a later time.) Jill came tumbling after. (Indicates a position behind.)
Conjunction: After I finished my work, I went home. (Links two events in time sequence.)
Adjective: In after years, she became famous. (Refers to subsequent years.) The after deck of the ship. (Refers to the rear part.)
"After all": Used to introduce a statement that explains, justifies, or contradicts a previous point, often meaning 'in spite of what was said before' or 'when everything is considered'. I thought I would fail the test, but I passed after all.After all, he is your brother, so you should forgive him.
"To be after something/someone": To be in pursuit of or trying to obtain something/someone. What are you after? (What do you want?) The company is after a new marketing director.
"Day after day / Time after time": Repeatedly, over a long period. He made the same mistake time after time.
Aftermath (n): The consequences or results of a significant, usually unpleasant, event. The country struggled in the aftermath of the war.
Afternoon (n): The time from noon until evening.
- Afterward / Afterwards (adv): At a later time; after an event.
- Following (prep): Coming after in time or order.
- Subsequent to (prep): Happening or coming after something else.
- Later (adv): At a time in the future; after the present time.
- Behind (adv/prep): At or to the far side of something; further back in position.
Look after: To take care of someone or something. Can you look after my cat while I'm away?
Take after: To resemble a parent or ancestor in appearance or character. She really takes after her mother.
Go after: To pursue or try to get something. He decided to go after his dream job.
Ask after: To inquire about someone's health or well-being. John was asking after you.
After your own heart: Having the same opinions, interests, or attitudes as oneself; very much to one's liking. A lover of classic literature? You're a man after my own heart.
Put/set something after something: To consider something as less important than something else. She puts her career after her family.
The day after tomorrow: On the day following tomorrow. The meeting is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
- behind or in the rear
- and Jill came tumbling after
- happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
- he apologized subsequently
- he's going to the store but he'll be back here later
- it didn't happen until afterward
- two hours after that