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.
Soot and particulates will likely linger through Sunday afternoon before being dispersed by the wind. — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Lawmakers sent the budget to the governor Thursday afternoon for his signature. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026 In the afternoon, the moon will make an opposition to Venus in Leo, which is where gestures or our desire for affection become more complicated. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 Ellie Goulding was seen later in the afternoon on Friday, July 3, heading into a car while wearing a black cocktail dress. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 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 7 Jul. 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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