afterthought
n.n. something that you think of or do after you have already finished a task. It is often a small detail that you forgot to include at first.
n. a thought or action that occurs after the main event or decision has been made. Often implies a lack of prior consideration or a secondary addition.
The small garden was a last-minute afterthought.
The architect added a second floor as an afterthought, which made the building feel cramped.
While the initial design was functional, the inclusion of a private balcony was a welcome afterthought that significantly increased the property's market value.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Indo-European *-teros Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep(o)teros Proto-Germanic *after Old English æfter Middle English after English after ▲ Old English æfter Old English æfter- Middle English after- English after- Proto-Indo-European *teng-der. Proto-Germanic *þankijaną Proto-Germanic *þanhtaz Proto-West Germanic *þą̄ht Old English þōht Middle English thought English thought English afterthought From after- + thought, probably modelled on forethought. Compare also the verb afterthink.