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yesterday afternoon
/ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ ˈæftərˌnuːn/
the period after noon on the previous day
We met for coffee yesterday afternoon.
The meeting occurred during the time after noon on the day before today.
neutral
the time period from noon to evening on the day before today
She called me yesterday afternoon to discuss the project.
The call was made during the afternoon of the previous day.
I was busy yesterday afternoon, so I couldn’t attend the meeting.
The speaker was occupied during the afternoon of the prior day.
Used to specify a past time frame without ambiguity. Often paired with past tense verbs.
Collocations
yesterday morningthe period from sunrise to noon on the previous dayyesterday eveningthe period from sunset to late night on the previous daythe day before yesterdaytwo days prior to today
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Time Reference Clarity
Use 'yesterday afternoon' to avoid ambiguity when referring to past events. It clearly indicates the time frame without relying on context.
Gold Rule
Correct Tense Usage
Always pair 'yesterday afternoon' with past tense verbs (e.g., 'I worked', 'She called'). Using it with present or future tense is incorrect.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'yesterday' (Old English 'geostran dæg', meaning 'the day before today') and 'afternoon' (from 'after' + 'noon', Old English 'nōn' meaning 'midday'). The compound form emerged in Middle English as a way to specify a precise time in the past.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written English to refer to a specific time in the recent past. It is often used with past simple tense verbs. Avoid using it for future or present contexts.
Word Breakdown
yesterday
the day before today
nounafternoon
the time from noon to evening
nounEnglish Dictionary