afterthought

noun

af·​ter·​thought ˈaf-tər-ˌthȯt How to pronounce afterthought (audio)
1
: an idea occurring later
2
: something (such as a part or feature) not thought of originally : something secondary

Examples of afterthought in a Sentence

Then I remembered, almost as an afterthought, to feed the cat. The fact was hidden deep in the report, almost as an afterthought. The lounge was added to the office as an afterthought.
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.
Jarred Vanderbilt was an afterthought in the Malik Beasley/Robert Covington trade who blossomed into a playoff starter under Finch. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2025 What should have been a climactic moment instead felt, to many fans, disappointingly abrupt, as if Lynch and Frost had tossed out the truth about the teenager’s murder as an afterthought. Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025 In a country where golf is relegated to an afterthought, Vegas worked on his game at a nine-hole course built for oil company workers. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 Authentically Feature Black creators and talent prominently in campaigns—not as an afterthought or token inclusion, but as integral voices shaping the brand’s narrative. Lyric Christian, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for afterthought 

Word History

Etymology

after- + thought entry 1

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afterthought was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near afterthought

Cite this Entry

“Afterthought.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afterthought. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

afterthought

noun
af·​ter·​thought -ˌthȯt How to pronounce afterthought (audio)
1
: a later thought about something one has done or said
2
: something not thought of originally

More from Merriam-Webster on afterthought

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