Definition of: after

(af′tər. äf′-) adjective
1. Naut. Farther aft; toward the stern.
2. Following in time or place; subsequent; later.
—adverb
1. At a later time.
2. In the rear; behind.
—prep.
1. In the rear of; farther back than; following: The prisoners followed after the soldiers.
2. Subsequently to; at a later period than: His will was read after his death.
3. In succession to; following repeatedly: the same routine day after day.
4. As a result of; subsequently to and because of: After their quarrel they decided to separate.
5. Notwithstanding; subsequently to and in spite of: After the best endeavors, one may fail.
6. Next below in order or importance: This office comes right after the president in power.
7. In search or pursuit of: to strive after wisdom.
8. According to the nature, wishes, or customs of; in conformity with: a woman after my own heart.
9. In imitation of; in the manner of: a painting after Vermeer.
10. In honor, remembrance, or observance of: I was named after Lincoln.
11. In relation to; concerning: to inquire after someone's health.
— conj. Following the time that: After I went home. I went to bed. [OE æfter behind]
After may appear as a combining form in open, hyphenated, or closed two-wordphrases with the following meanings:1 Following in place, order, or time: