afternoon

[af-ter-noon, ahf-, af-ter-noon, ahf-, af-, ahf-] / ˌæf tərˈnun, ˌɑf-, ˈæf tərˈnun, ˈɑf-, ˌæf-, ˌɑf- /

NOUN

period after 12 noon and before sunset

Synonyms

STRONG

siesta teatime

WEAK

P.M. cocktail hour post meridian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That afternoon in 2025, with his shellacked coif flapping against his bronzed forehead in the wind, the president held up hastily-assembled poster boards bearing the names of the world’s countries and territories.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Mindful of his global audience, he updates his site with fresh headlines starting in the late afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Block published his newspaper in the morning while Hearst published an afternoon option.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The burst pipe was fixed on Thursday afternoon but people on higher land, particularly in Brenchley and Pembury, have yet to see supplies return due to air in the system, said the water company.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

We were all as silent as Sunday afternoon.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck