# posthumously

/ˈpɑstʃʊməsɫi/ (US) · /pˈəʊsthjuːməsli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/posthumously
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

after someone has died. You use this to describe things that happen to a person or their work after they are no longer alive.

For teachers: after the death of a person. Often used to describe the awarding of an honour or the publication of a work following the author's death.

## Examples

- The author was awarded the prize posthumously.
- The scientist's groundbreaking theory was finally published posthumously, decades after he had retired from the university.
- Although the artist struggled to find a buyer for his work during his lifetime, he was posthumously celebrated as a pioneer of modern sculpture, with his studio's contents auctioned for millions.

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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.