prep.
- in the time following (an event or another period of time).
▸N. Amer. past (used in specifying a time).
- behind.
▸in the direction of someone who is moving away.
- in pursuit or quest of.
- next to and following in order or importance.
- in allusion or reference to:
he was named after his grandfather.
▸in the style or following the example of.
conj.
&
adv.
in the time following (an event).
adj.
- archaic later.
- nearer the stern of a ship.
Phrase
- after all
in spite of any indications or expectations to the contrary. - after hours
after normal working or opening hours. - after you
a polite formula offering precedence. - be after doing something
Irish be on the point of doing something or have just done it.
Etymology
OE æfter, of Gmc origin.