aftermath
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the situation that exists after a big event, especially a bad one like a war, accident, or storm.
the period immediately following a catastrophic event and the resulting social or physical effects. Uncountable in most contexts.
Simple“Many people were left without homes in the aftermath of the flood.”
In context“In the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis, the government introduced several emergency measures to prevent a total collapse of the banking sector.”
Synonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
a second crop of grass that grows in the same season after the first harvest.
a second mowing of grass; the crop that grows after the first hay harvest of the season.
Simple“The farmer hoped for a good aftermath to feed his cattle through the winter.”
In context“The late summer rains ensured a lush aftermath, providing the livestock with ample grazing land before the first frost arrived.”
UsageThis is the original literal meaning of the word, though it is now rarely used outside of historical or agricultural contexts.
Synonymsrowen
“Images of the aftermath appeared to show passengers standing on top of the toppled carriages of the Southern service, while others could be seen in an area of heathland alongside emergency workers.”
“The video was taken on Thursday night by someone helping in the aftermath, after multiple fires tore through the West Midlands.”
From after- + math (“a mowing”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.