How to pronounce after
Say it like AF-ter. After has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce after. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AF
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
After pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of after
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: AHF-tuh.
What does after mean?
- happening at a time subsequent to a reference time“he apologized subsequently”“he's going to the store but he'll be back here later”
- behind or in the rear“and Jill came tumbling after”
- located farther aft
Where does after come from?
The Irish usage to indicate recent completion of an activity is a calque of the Irish collocation Táim tar éis...
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with after
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of after.
Questions about saying after
How do you pronounce after?
Say AF-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈæftɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɑːftə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in after?
After has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AF). Broken into parts: AF · ter.
Is after pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɑːftə/ (AHF-tuh).