afterwards
/ˈæftɚwɚdz/
adverb
Common
1.adv.happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
“he apologized subsequently”
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afterwards and later share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. afterwards means “happening at a time subsequent to a reference time”. later means “happening at a time subsequent to a reference time”. later is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈæftɚwɚdz/
1.adv.happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
“he apologized subsequently”
/ˈleɪtɚ/
1.adv.happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
“he apologized subsequently”
2.adv.at some eventual time in the future
“By and by he'll understand”
3.adv.comparative of the adverb `late'
“he stayed later than you did”
| afterwards | later | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈæftɚwɚdz/ | /ˈleɪtɚ/ |
| Said | AF-tur-wurdz | LAY-tur |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Letters | 10 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | adverb | adverb, adjective |
| Senses | 1 | 5 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | subsequently, later, afterward | subsequently, afterwards, afterward |
Full entry for afterwards · Full entry for later · More comparisons