afternoon

noun

af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün How to pronounce afternoon (audio)
Synonyms of afternoonnext
1
: the part of day between noon and sunset
2
: a relatively late period (as of time or life)
in the afternoon of the 19th century
afternoon adjective

Synonyms of afternoon

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Examples of afternoon in a Sentence

morning, afternoon, evening, and night I'll see you again tomorrow afternoon. It was early afternoon when I left. She spent the afternoon at the library. I remember the many rainy afternoons I spent reading at the library. She doesn't have class on Friday afternoons. It took us all afternoon to get there. It's going to be a long afternoon listening to lectures.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many roster moves would be made starting Sunday evening and leading up to Monday afternoon. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026 The resort's daily fee of $35 includes not just Wi-Fi, but a continental breakfast, an afternoon tea and snacks, bicycles, and pool access. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 Calls to both the Devon and Maplewood centers went unanswered Thursday afternoon. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afternoon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afternone, from after- after- + none noon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afternoon was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing afternoon

Rhymes for afternoon

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Browse Nearby Words

afternight
afternoon
afternooner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afternoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afternoon. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afternoon

noun
af·​ter·​noon ˌaf-tər-ˈnün How to pronounce afternoon (audio)
: the part of day between noon and sunset
afternoon adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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