I. ˈaf-tər adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English æfter; akin to Old High German aftar after, and probably to Old English of of
Date: before 12th century
: following in time or place : afterward , behind , later
we arrived shortly after
returned 20 years after
II. preposition
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : behind in place
people lined up one after another
b.
(1) : subsequent to in time or order
20 minutes after 6
(2) : subsequent to and in view of
after all our advice
2. — used as a function word to indicate the object of a stated or implied action
go after gold
was asking after you
3. : so as to resemble: as
a. : in accordance with
b. : with the name of or a name derived from that of
named after his father
c. : in the characteristic manner of : in imitation of
writing after the manner of Hemingway
III. conjunction
Date: before 12th century
: subsequently to the time when
we will come after we make plans
IV. adjective
Date: before 12th century
1. : later in time
in after years
2. : located toward the rear and especially toward the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft
V. ˈäf-tər verbal auxiliary
Date: 1792
chiefly Irish — used with a present participle to indicate action completed and especially just completed
the poor old man is after dying on me — J. M. Synge
VI. noun
Date: circa 1902
: afternoon