English Reference
noun

afterlife

n.
US /ˈæftɝˌɫaɪf/ UK /ˈɑːftəlˌaɪf/ af·ter·life UK spelling afterlifes

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    the belief that your soul or consciousness continues to exist after your body dies.

    a conscious existence or supernatural life believed to follow physical death in various religious or philosophical traditions.

    Simple

    Many cultures have different stories about what happens in the afterlife.

    In context

    The ancient Egyptians developed elaborate burial rituals to ensure the deceased would be well-prepared for their journey into the afterlife.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    the place where people are thought to go after they die.

    the metaphysical realm or location believed to be inhabited by the spirits of the deceased.

    Simple

    In the story, the hero travels to the afterlife to rescue his friend.

    In context

    Mythological accounts often depict the afterlife as a complex landscape with distinct regions for the virtuous and the wicked.

    underworldotherworld
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Informal

    the part of your life that comes after a big change, like retiring from a job.

    the period of an individual's life following a significant career phase, event, or transition.

    Simple

    The athlete enjoyed a successful afterlife as a television commentator.

    In context

    Many politicians struggle to adapt to their professional afterlife once they are no longer in the public eye.

    retirementlater years
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Academic

    the way a book, movie, or idea continues to be popular or used long after it was first made.

    the enduring reception, adaptation, or cultural impact of a creative work or event beyond its initial release or occurrence.

    Simple

    The movie had a long afterlife on the internet through memes and fan art.

    In context

    Scholars have spent decades studying the afterlife of the novel, tracing how its themes have been reinterpreted by successive generations of readers.


From after- + life.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated