# afterlife

/ˈæftɝˌɫaɪf/ (US) · /ˈɑːftəlˌaɪf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/afterlife
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. life after death

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- Many cultures have different stories about what happens in the afterlife.
- The ancient Egyptians developed elaborate burial rituals to ensure the deceased would be well-prepared for their journey into the afterlife.

### 2. a place for the dead

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- In the story, the hero travels to the afterlife to rescue his friend.
- Mythological accounts often depict the afterlife as a complex landscape with distinct regions for the virtuous and the wicked.

### 3. later stage of life

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

- The athlete enjoyed a successful afterlife as a television commentator.
- Many politicians struggle to adapt to their professional afterlife once they are no longer in the public eye.

### 4. continued influence of a work

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

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

- The movie had a long afterlife on the internet through memes and fan art.
- Scholars have spent decades studying the afterlife of the novel, tracing how its themes have been reinterpreted by successive generations of readers.

## Examples

- Many religions describe a peaceful afterlife.
- She found comfort in the belief that her grandmother was waiting for her in the afterlife.
- The novel explores how the characters' actions in the present are driven by their fears and hopes regarding the afterlife.

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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.