afterward
She finished her work and went for a walk afterward.
She completed her tasks, then took a walk later.
at a later or future time
The meeting will start at 3 PM; afterward, we'll review the reports.
The meeting begins at 3 PM; later, we'll examine the documents.
He apologized afterward for his mistake.
He expressed regret later for his error.
Used to indicate what happens following a previous event or action. Common in both spoken and written English.
Collocations
Synonyms
Antonyms
Pro Tip
American vs. British English
In American English, 'afterward' is standard. In British English, 'afterwards' is more common. Both are acceptable in most contexts.
Gold Rule
Position in Sentence
Place 'afterward' at the end of a clause or sentence to indicate what follows an event. Example: 'They ate dinner, and afterward, they watched a movie.'
Word Origin
From Middle English 'afterwardes', combining 'after' (Old English 'æfter') and '-ward' (suffix indicating direction or relation). The adverbial form 'afterward' emerged in the 14th century.
Usage Notes
While 'afterward' and 'afterwards' are often used interchangeably, 'afterward' is more common in American English, whereas 'afterwards' is preferred in British English. Both are correct.