Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

a fter-effect (after-effects ) in AM, use aftereffect N‑COUNT [usu pl] The after-effects of an event, experience, or substance are the conditions which result from it. □ [+ of ] …people still suffering from the after-effects of the accident.

after|glow /ɑː ftə ^r gloʊ, æ f-/

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] The afterglow is the glow that remains after a light has gone, for example after the sun has gone down. [LITERARY ] □  …the light of the sunset's afterglow.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the good feeling or effects that remain after an event as the afterglow . □ [+ of ] …basking in the afterglow of their Champions League victory.

a fter-hou rs ADJ [ADJ n] You use after-hours to describe activities which happen after the end of the usual time for them. □  The school offers after-hours childcare.

after|life /ɑː ftə ^r la I f, æ f-/ (afterlives ) also after-life N‑COUNT [usu sing] The afterlife is a life that some people believe begins when you die, for example a life in heaven or as another person or animal.

after|market /ɑː ftə ^r mɑː ^r k I t, æ f-/

1 N‑SING The aftermarket is all the related products that are sold after an item, especially a car, has been bought. [BUSINESS ]

2 N‑SING The aftermarket in shares and bonds is the buying and selling of them after they have been issued. [BUSINESS ]

after|math /ɑː ftə ^r mɑːθ, æ ftə ^r mæθ/ N‑SING The aftermath of an important event, especially a harmful one, is the situation that results from it. □ [+ of ] In the aftermath of the coup, the troops opened fire on the demonstrators.

after|noon ◆◆◇ /ɑː ftə ^r nuː n, æ f-/ (afternoons ) N‑VAR The afternoon is the part of each day which begins at lunchtime and ends at about six o'clock. □  He's arriving in the afternoon. □  He had stayed in his room all afternoon. □  …an afternoon news conference.

a fter|noon tea (afternoon teas ) N‑VAR Afternoon tea is a small meal you can have in the afternoon. It includes a cup of tea and food such as sandwiches and cakes. [BRIT ]

after|party /ɑː ftə ^r pɑː ^r t I , æ f-/ (afterparties ) N‑COUNT An afterparty is a small party held after a larger event, to which only a small group of guests is invited. □  He met her at a fashion-show afterparty.

a fter-sales se r|vice (after-sales services ) N‑VAR A company's after-sales service is all the help and information that it provides to customers after they have bought a particular product. [BUSINESS ] □  …a local retailer who offers a good after-sales service. □  They attempt to keep the car buyer as a long-term customer by offering after-sales service.

a fter-schoo l ADJ [ADJ n] After-school activities are those that are organized for children in the afternoon or evening after they have finished school. □  …an after-school childcare scheme.

after|shave /ɑː ftə ^r ʃe I v, æ f-/ (aftershaves ) also after-shave N‑VAR Aftershave is a liquid with a pleasant smell that men sometimes put on their faces after shaving.

after|shock /ɑː ftə ^r ʃɒk, æ f-/ (aftershocks )

1 N‑COUNT Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes which occur after a large earthquake.

2 N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to the effects of an important event, especially a bad one, as the aftershock . [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] They were already under stress, thanks to the aftershock of last year's drought.

after|taste /ɑː ftə ^r te I st, æ f-/ also after-taste N‑SING An aftertaste is a taste that remains in your mouth after you have finished eating or drinking something.

after|thought /ɑː ftə ^r θɔːt, æ f-/ (afterthoughts ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you do or say something as an afterthought , you do or say it after something else as an addition, perhaps without careful thought. □  Almost as an afterthought he added that he missed her.