afterwards English · revision 5393

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1300}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɑːftə.wədz/, US /ˈæf.tɚ.wɚdz/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[afterward]] with the adverbial genitive ending [[-s]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) on the pattern of words in [[-wards]].^(SOED 2002) Afterward goes back to Old English æfteweard, from æftan “behind”, the source of [[aft]], and [[-ward]], influenced by [[after]].^(COED 2004)^(NODE 1998)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ At a later time, subsequently: about 1300 in the OED and Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a noun it has meant the future, or the afterlife, from 1669.^(HTOED)^(OED 1989) Afterward without -s is now chiefly American, while afterwards is the usual British form.^(Chambers 2008)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – at a later time.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1669 – noun, the future.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # At a later time; [[subsequently]].^(Collins 2023)^(COED 2004)^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[after]]

+ * [[afterward]]

+ * [[aft]]

+ * [[backwards]]

+ * [[towards]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}