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.
The latest toll was given by disaster mitigation agency BNPB in an update Saturday afternoon local time. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 There is a funeral procession in the morning and a wedding in the afternoon. — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected across the area through the afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2026 Harvesting early is especially important for leafy greens, which quickly wilt in the afternoon sun and may not last for very long in the fridge. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 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 15 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on afternoon

Nglish: Translation of afternoon for Spanish Speakers

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