Word
aft
US/ˈæft/
UK/ˈɑːft/
Definitions
01located at the back
B2 · Upper Intermediate Technical
adj. located at or near the back of a ship, boat, or airplane.
adj. situated at, near, or toward the stern of a vessel or the rear of an aircraft.
“The crew gathered in the aft cabin to discuss the route.”
“The aft cargo hold was reinforced to accommodate the additional weight of the backup generators during the long-haul flight.”
Usage
Commonly used in nautical and aviation contexts to distinguish from 'fore'.
02towards the back
B2 · Upper Intermediate Technical
adv. towards the back part of a ship or plane.
adv. towards the stern or rear of a vessel or aircraft.
“The captain walked aft to check on the engines.”
“As the storm intensified, the sailors were ordered to move aft to help secure the loose equipment near the rudder.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03afternoon
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · Dialect · Archaic
n. a short, casual way to say 'afternoon'.
n. a clipped form of 'afternoon', used as a temporal noun.
“See you this aft for a cup of tea.”
“He spent the entire aft working in the garden, taking advantage of the rare sunshine before the evening rain arrived.”
Teaching tip
This sense is quite rare in modern standard English; learners will mostly encounter it in older texts or specific regional dialects.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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