# after

/ˈæftɝ/ (US) · /ˈɑːftɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/after
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. later in time

preposition · CEFR A1

later than a specific time or event.

For teachers: subsequent to a specific point in time or a particular event.

- We went for a long walk in the park after lunch.
- The company's stock price stabilized significantly after the quarterly earnings report was released to the public.

### 2. following in order

preposition · CEFR A2

behind someone or something in a line or list.

For teachers: following behind in a spatial sequence or lower in a hierarchy of importance.

- Your name comes after mine on the list of students.
- In terms of global influence, the small nation is often ranked immediately after its much larger neighbors.

### 3. chasing or seeking

preposition · CEFR B1

trying to find, catch, or get something.

For teachers: in pursuit of or seeking to obtain a person or object.

- The police ran down the street after the thief.
- He spent most of his twenties chasing after fame, only to realize that he preferred a quiet life.

### 4. named for someone

preposition · CEFR B1

giving someone the same name as another person.

For teachers: in imitation of or as a tribute to a specific person or entity; used with the verb 'name'.

- I was named after my grandfather, who was a famous doctor.
- The new research wing was named after the university's most generous benefactor.

Usage: Usually follows the verb 'name' or 'call'.

### 5. joining two events

conjunction · CEFR A2

used to say that one thing happened and then another thing happened.

For teachers: introduces a subordinate clause representing an event that precedes the main clause action.

- After we finished the project, we went out to celebrate.
- After the committee had reviewed all the evidence, they decided to postpone the final vote until the following month.

### 6. later

adverb · CEFR A2

at a later time than what was just mentioned.

For teachers: subsequently; at a later time in a sequence of events.

- They had a big fight but they were friends again soon after.
- The initial results were promising, but the project was cancelled shortly after due to a lack of funding.

### 7. nautical/aircraft rear

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

at or near the back of a ship or an airplane.

For teachers: located at or toward the stern of a vessel or the rear of an aircraft.

- The crew gathered in the after cabin to discuss the storm.
- The engineers inspected the after section of the fuselage for signs of structural fatigue following the hard landing.

Usage: Commonly used in maritime and aviation contexts to describe physical sections of a craft.

## Examples

- We can go for a walk after dinner.
- The team felt much more confident after winning their first three matches of the season.
- After months of intense negotiation and several public setbacks, the two companies finally agreed on a merger that would reshape the local tech industry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.