How to pronounce thereafter
Say it like theh-RAF-ter. Thereafter has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce thereafter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- theh
- RAF
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thereafter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- thehKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- RAFSay 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 thereafter
- 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: thair-RAHF-tuh.
What does thereafter mean?
- from that time on“thereafter he never called again”
Where does thereafter come from?
From Middle English therafter, theraftir, þerefter, þerafter, þeræfter, from Old English þǣræfter (“after that; thereafter”), equivalent to there + after.
Words that rhyme with thereafter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of thereafter.
Questions about saying thereafter
How do you pronounce thereafter?
Say theh-RAF-ter. The American pronunciation is /ðɛˈræftɚ/. In British English it is /ˌðɛəˈrɑːftə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in thereafter?
Thereafter has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAF). Broken into parts: theh · RAF · ter.
Is thereafter 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 /ˌðɛəˈrɑːftə/ (thair-RAHF-tuh).