Idiom idiom
good afternoon
Meaning
A polite greeting you use when you meet someone in the afternoon, usually after 12 p.m.
Examples
“Good afternoon, how are you today?”
“The receptionist offered a polite good afternoon as I walked into the office building.”
“Upon entering the quiet library, the visitor whispered a respectful good afternoon to the librarian at the front desk.”
Origin
disputed origin
disputed origin
Probably a shortening of the greeting "I wish you a good afternoon," the phrase represents a conventional ellipsis of the speaker's intent. While the full sentiment is rarely articulated in modern speech, the remaining noun phrase serves as the standard polite formula.
Last updated June 7, 2026