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Definition after in American English

after adverb, conjunction, preposition

adverb, conjunction, preposition
/ˈæftər/

After is used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): I went for a swim after breakfast.

as an adverb (without a following noun): He died on June 3rd and was buried the day after.

as a conjunction (connecting two clauses): After you’d left, I got a phone call from Stuart.

1

when a particular time has passed, or when an event or action has ended

1.1

when a particular time has passed, or when an event or action has ended

Example

After the war, my parents moved to the U.S.

Example

Essays handed in after 12:00 on Friday will not be accepted.

Example

She is leaving the school after 20 years as its principal.

Example

This message arrived after everyone had gone home.

Example

It seems noisy at first, but after a while you get used to it.

Example

Wash your hands after touching raw meat.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

used for showing how much later something happens

Example

His birthday is two days after mine.

Example

She got here just a few seconds after me (=after I got here).

Example

Barlow was arrested 24 hours after arriving back in the country.

Example

Joe was born not long after we moved to Portland.

Example

We got here at eleven and the others arrived soon after.

Example

You shouldn't go swimming right after a big meal.

Synonyms and related words
1.3

used in telling the time, for giving the number of minutes past the hour

Example

It's ten after nine (=9:10).

Synonyms and related words
2

following someone or something else in a list or order

2.1

following someone or something else in a list or order

Example

N comes after M in the alphabet.

Example

Germany is our largest export market after Japan.

Example

Kate is my best friend, after you of course.

2.2

following something else in a piece of writing

Example

In the U.S., we put a period after "Mr." and "Mrs."

Example

What do those letters after your name mean?

Synonyms and related words
3

farther along a road, railroad, etc.

Example

You turn right just after the bank.

Example

We get off at the station after Newport.

Synonyms and related words
4

if you call or shout after someone, you call or shout to them as they are leaving

4.1

if you call or shout after someone, you call or shout to them as they are leaving

Example

"And don't come back!" they yelled after him.

Synonyms and related words
4.2

if you clean up after someone, you clean up a mess they have made when they have left or after they have finished

Example

You can put those toys away because I'm not cleaning up after you.

4.3

if you close a door or gate after you, you close it as you leave a place

Example

She walked out, closing the door gently after her.

5

used for saying that someone is influenced by past events

5.1

used for saying that someone is influenced by past events

Example

After what happened last time, I was careful not to make the same mistake again.

Example

They wouldn't invite John, not after the way he behaved at Sally's wedding.

Synonyms and related words
5.2

used when there has been a surprising or disappointing result despite everything that was done in the past

Example

After all that I'd done for her, she didn't even say thank you.

6

trying to catch someone or something

6.1

trying to catch someone or something

Example

The police are after him for burglary.

Example

I ran after her to apologize.

Example

His dog fell in the river and he jumped in after it.

6.2

wanting to get something that belongs to someone else

Example

Watch out, he's only after your money.

Synonyms and related words
6.3

trying to find something

Example

A really good French dictionary, that's what I'm after.

7

if you name a person or thing after someone, you give them the same name

Example

We named him after my father.

Synonyms and related words
Definition after in American English