adverb
afterward
At a later time.
We eat dinner together and wash the dishes afterward.
Etymology
After supplies the idea of a later position, while -ward indicates direction. Together they point forward from an event or reference time to something that happens later.
More examples
- The interview went well, but I felt exhausted afterward.
- I'll finish this report first and call you afterward.
- She takes a short walk and feels better afterward.
Forms
afterward
Similar words
- later
- Can refer to a future time without a preceding event.
- subsequently
- More formal; often marks a later event in a sequence.