after

  • preposition 1 in the time following (an event or another period of time). 2 behind. 3 in pursuit of. 4 next to and following in order or importance. 5 in allusion or reference to.

  • conjunction & adverb in the time following (an event).

  • adjective 1 archaic later. 2 nearer the stern of a ship.

  — PHRASES after all in spite of any indications to the contrary. after hours after normal working or opening hours.

  — ORIGIN Old English.

Perform another search of the Compact Oxford English Dictionary

About this dictionary
The Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English contains 145,000 words, phrases, and definitions.
Find out more about Oxford's range of English dictionaries
Sign up for the AskOxford Word of the Day

Search the Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Search the Concise Dictionary of First Names