Afterthought Meaning

/ˈæft.ɚ.θɔt/
C2

Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

nounA reflection after an act; a later or subsequent thought, action, or expedient.

nounSomething additional to the original plan or concept.

She added, as an afterthought, that she was going to do some shopping.
Music is Mary's life; her education happens as a kind of afterthought.
Music is Mary's life; school is almost an afterthought.
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The decision to include a pool was an ____, not part of the original plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The decoration seemed like an ____ and didn't fit the theme.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Indo-European *-teros Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep(o)teros Proto-Germanic *after Old English æfter Middle English after English after ▲ Old English æfter Old English æfter- Middle English after- English after- Proto-Indo-European *teng-der. Proto-Germanic *þankijaną Proto-Germanic *þanhtaz Proto-West Germanic *þą̄ht Old English þōht Middle English thought English thought English afterthought From after- + thought, probably modelled on forethought. Compare also the verb afterthink.

"The lighting in the corridor just dabbles of arcs, afterthoughts, smears. The light a grime that gives him a slight headache. The same type as when it has rained, remained humid, a fetid stale of ozone over everything." — 2007, Constantine Sult, chapter 1, in The Murder of Linen, [United States]: Brown Paper Publishing, page 1:
"For most of the past three decades, the natural world was treated almost as an afterthought by world leaders. If discussed at all, it was with platitudes about the need to save polar bears and tigers." — 2019 August 30, Jonathan Watts, “Amazon fires show world heading for point of no return, says UN”, in The Guardian:

Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words

CEFR Practice Quiz
The decision to include a pool was an ____, not part of the original plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The decoration seemed like an ____ and didn't fit the theme.

Expand Your Vocabulary with LexUp

Master English words using smart flashcards, play exciting word rounds, and compete with other learners worldwide.

Browse CEFR Words Alphabetically