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Definition after in British English

after adverb, preposition, conjunction

adverb, preposition, conjunction
/ˈɑːftə(r)/

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, I went back to work on the farm.

Example

Essays handed in after 12.00 on Friday will not be accepted.

Example

She is leaving the school after 20 years as headteacher.

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
after following since
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 Britain.

Example

Joe was born not long after we moved to London.

Example

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

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
after following since
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
0900/1300 etc hours about advanced
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

The US is our largest export market after Germany.

Example

Kate is my best friend, after you of course.

2.2

following something else in a piece of writing

Example

You don't need to put a full stop after 'Mr'.

Example

What do those letters after your name mean?

Synonyms and related words
above below after
3

further along a road, railway etc

Example

You turn right just after the pub.

Example

A few hundred metres after the village the road ended and we had to stop the car.

Example

We get off at the station after Newport.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
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
shout call out cry
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 clearing 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
after following since
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

trying to find something

Example

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

6.3

wanting to get something that belongs to someone else

Example

Watch out, he's only after your money.

Synonyms and related words
anxious impatient longing
7

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

Example

She's called Diana, after Princess Diana.

Example

She has a street named after her.

Synonyms and related words
after assignment better known as
Definition after in British English

Related Words

Words related to after:

a after your own heart (phrase) accessory (noun) after (adverb, preposition, conjunction) after a fashion (phrase) after all (phrase) after dark (phrase) after hours (phrase) after tax (phrase) after the event (phrase) after the fact (phrase) after the fashion of (phrase) after you (phrase) after- (prefix) after-effects (noun) after-hours (adjective, adverb) after-school (adjective) afterparty (noun) ask after (phrasal verb) be after someone’s blood (phrase) call after (phrasal verb) clean up after (phrasal verb) clear up after (phrasal verb) close the stable door after the horse has bolted (phrase) come after (phrasal verb) day after day (phrase) etc (phrase) get after (phrasal verb) go after (phrasal verb) hour hour (phrase) in after years (phrase) inquire after (phrasal verb) just (phrase) live happily ever after (phrase) look after (phrasal verb) looked-after (adjective) make after (phrasal verb) model on (phrasal verb) month after month (phrase) morning-after pill (noun) name after (phrasal verb) night after night (phrase) one after another (phrase) one thing after another (phrase) pick up after (phrasal verb) quarter (noun) run after (phrasal verb) run around after (phrasal verb) sought-after (adjective) style after (phrasal verb) take after (phrasal verb) the day after tomorrow (phrase) the etc after (phrase) the etc after next (phrase) throw good money after bad (phrase) tidy up after (phrasal verb) time after time (phrase) wise after the event (phrase) year after year (phrase)