# afternoon

/ˌæftɝˈnun/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/afternoon
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Senses

### 1. time of day

noun · CEFR A1

the part of the day from 12:00 (noon) until the early evening.

For teachers: the period from noon (12:00) until the beginning of evening — a relational boundary, not a fixed clock time, since "evening" itself depends on culture and season (often 5:00–6:00 PM by social convention).

- We spent the whole afternoon walking through the park and talking.
- The heavy rain persisted throughout the afternoon, forcing the organisers to relocate the outdoor ceremony to the main hall.

### 2. later stage

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the later part of something, like a person's life or a long event.

For teachers: the final or declining stage of a period of time, a career, or a lifespan.

- In the afternoon of his life, the old man enjoyed sitting in his garden.
- The empire entered its long afternoon, characterized by a slow decay of its once-mighty institutions and a loss of territorial control.

### 4. social event

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a party or meeting that happens during the afternoon.

For teachers: a social gathering or formal event scheduled during the afternoon hours.

- The local club is hosting a musical afternoon for the neighborhood families.
- The charity organized a literary afternoon, featuring readings from local poets and a silent auction to raise funds for the library.

## Examples

- I usually drink a cup of tea in the afternoon.
- The museum is very busy on Saturday afternoon because many families visit after lunch.
- A golden light filled the library during the late afternoon, creating a peaceful atmosphere for the students finishing their research before the building closed.

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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.