Meaning of after in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

adjective

• Later; second (of two); next, following, subsequent

• (where the frame of reference is within the ship) At or towards the stern of a ship.

  Example: The after gun is abaft the forward gun.

adverb

• Behind; later in time; following.

  Example: I left the room, and the dog bounded after.

preposition

• Subsequently to; following in time; later than.

  Example: The Cold War began shortly after the Second World War.

• Behind.

  Example: He will leave a trail of destruction after him.

• In pursuit of, seeking.

  Example: He's after a job; run after him; inquire after her health.

• In allusion to, in imitation of; following or referencing.

  Example: We named him after his grandfather; a painting after Leonardo da Vinci.

• Next in importance or rank.

  Example: The princess is next in line to the throne after the prince.

• As a result of.

  Example: After your bad behaviour, you will be punished.

• In spite of.

  Example: After all that has happened, he is still my friend.

• (usually preceded by a form of be, followed by an -ing form of a verb) Used to indicate recent completion of an activity

  Example: I was after finishing my dinner when there was a knock on the door.

• According to an author or text.

• Denoting the aim or object; concerning; in relation to.

  Example: to look after workmen; to enquire after a friend; to thirst after righteousness

• According to the direction and influence of; in proportion to; befitting.

conjunction

• Signifies that the action of the clause it starts takes place before the action of the other clause.

  Example: I went home after we had decided to call it a day.