after

• 古旧或航海用语形容词，意为“在后面的”或“朝船尾方向的”；现已不常用于日常语言。

An archaic or nautical adjective meaning 'behind' or 'toward the stern of a ship'; now obsolete in general use.

1. Situated at the rearB2formal

   Located at or toward the back part of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.

   船尾的

   • The aft cabin is reserved for the captain.
   • The crew gathered in the aft section of the ship.
   • The aircraft's aft cargo door was damaged.

   同义词afterbackhindposteriorrear

   反义词foreforward

2. Direction toward the sternB2formal

   Moving or positioned toward the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft.

   船尾的

   • The sailors moved aft to adjust the sails.
   • The pilot directed the passengers to remain aft during landing.
   • The ship's aft deck offers a great view of the ocean.

   同义词abaftbackhindposteriorreartail

   反义词foreforwardfront

• 形容词，用于描述在时间上较晚发生或跟随在另一事物之后的事物。

An adjective used to describe something that is later in time or subsequent to something else.

1. Located farther aftC1formal

   Situated towards the rear or stern of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.

   船尾的

   • The after cabin is reserved for the captain.
   • The after deck provides a good view of the ocean.
   • The after section of the plane is quieter.

   同义词aftbackhindposteriorrearstern

   反义词foreforwardfront

2. Subsequent in timeB1formal

   Happening at a time later than a specified reference point.

   随后的

   • In after years, they remembered the event fondly.
   • The after effects of the storm were severe.
   • The after part of the day was spent relaxing.

   同义词ensuingfollowingsubsequentsucceeding

   反义词before

3. Behind or in the rearB2formal

   Located at the back or behind something.

   后面的

   • The after rows of the theater are less crowded.
   • The after part of the train has a dining car.
   • The after section of the building houses the storage rooms.

   同义词aftbackhindposteriorrear

   反义词beforefront

• 用于航海和航空语境的副词，表示“向船尾（或飞机尾部）方向”或“在船尾”。与“船首”相对，用来描述相对于船体或机体结构的方向或位置。

An adverb used in nautical and aeronautical contexts meaning "toward the stern (rear) of a ship or aircraft." It is the opposite of "fore" and is used to describe direction or position relative to the vessel's structure.

1. Toward the stern or tailB2formal

   Situated at or toward the rear part of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.

   向船尾

   • The captain ordered the crew to move aft.
   • The cargo is stored aft of the main cabin.
   • The plane's tail section is located aft.

   同义词abaftasternrearward

   反义词fore

2. At or near the rearB2formal

   Located at or near the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft.

   在船尾

   • The lifeboats are positioned aft on the deck.
   • The engine room is situated aft of the galley.
   • The passengers gathered aft to watch the sunset.

   同义词abaftasternbackwardbehindrearward

   反义词foreforward

• 副词，表示“在时间上较晚”或“随后”。用于说明某事发生在某个事件或时间点之后。也可作介词和连词使用。

An adverb meaning 'later in time' or 'subsequently.' It is used to indicate that something happens following a particular event or point in time. Also functions as a preposition and conjunction.

1. Later in timeA1formal

   At a time that is later than a specified event or point in time.

   之后

   • We went to the cinema and had dinner after.
   • He arrived shortly after.
   • She called me a few minutes after.

   同义词afterwardafterwardslater onnextsubsequentlythenthereafter

   反义词before

2. Behind in positionA2formal

   Located behind or in the rear of something.

   在后面

   • The dog ran after the car.
   • He looked after the children.
   • The house is situated after the bridge.

   同义词behindfollowing

   反义词aheadbefore

3. Farther aftB2formal

   Located closer to the rear of a ship or aircraft.

   靠后的

   • The captain's quarters are located after the main deck.
   • The cargo hold is situated after the passenger cabin.
   • The engine room is farther after than the galley.

   同义词abaftaftasternrearward

   反义词beforeforward

• 从属连词，引导时间状语从句，表示主句动作发生在从句所述事件之后。也可表示“在……之后”或“接着”。

A subordinating conjunction used to introduce a dependent clause indicating that the action or event in the main clause occurs subsequent to, or following in time, the action or event described in the subordinate clause. 'After' establishes a clear temporal sequence and is one of the most fundamental time-linking words in English. It can also imply causal or logical connection when the temporal order suggests dependency. The conjunction is universally used across all registers, from casual speech to formal writing, and is typically acquired at the earliest stages of language learning. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, 'after' introduces adverbial clauses of time and does not require comma punctuation when the subordinate clause follows the main clause, though a comma is standard when the 'after'-clause precedes the main clause.

1. Introducing a temporal sequence: event B follows event AA1informal

   Used to introduce a subordinate clause that specifies a point in time prior to which the action of the main clause occurs. The conjunction 'after' establishes a clear chronological order: the event in the 'after'-clause happens first, and the event in the main clause happens subsequently. This is the primary and most frequent function of 'after' as a conjunction. The tense relationship between clauses typically follows standard sequence-of-tenses rules: past simple in both clauses for completed past events, present simple in the 'after'-clause with future reference in the main clause, etc. Punctuation requires a comma when the 'after'-clause precedes the main clause, but no comma is needed when the main clause comes first.

   表示时间先后顺序：事件B发生在事件A之后

   • After she finished her presentation, the audience applauded enthusiastically.
   • We can go for a walk after the rain stops.
   • He felt much better after he had taken the medication.
   • After they signed the contract, both parties celebrated the successful negotiation.
   • I'll call you after I arrive at the hotel.

2. Expressing causal or logical connection through temporal orderB1informal

   Used to introduce a clause where the temporal sequence implied by 'after' also suggests a causal, conditional, or logical relationship between the two events. In this usage, the fact that event B occurs after event A is not merely chronological but implies that A enables, triggers, or provides the context for B. This pragmatic extension is common in narrative, explanatory, and argumentative discourse, where temporal markers carry inferential weight. The conjunction remains grammatically temporal, but the semantic interpretation includes causation, consequence, or dependency.

   通过时间顺序表达因果或逻辑关系

   • After the company implemented the new security protocol, data breaches decreased by 80%.
   • She became more confident after she received positive feedback from her mentor.
   • After the government raised interest rates, consumer spending slowed significantly.
   • He decided to change careers after he realized his current job no longer fulfilled him.
   • After the team reviewed the test results, they identified the root cause of the failure.

3. Marking repeated or habitual temporal referenceA2informal

   Used to introduce a clause describing a recurring event or habitual action, where the main clause expresses what typically or invariably happens subsequent to that recurring trigger. This usage is common in descriptions of routines, procedures, natural cycles, or general truths. The present simple tense is typically used in both clauses to indicate habitual or timeless reference. The conjunction 'after' in this function emphasizes the reliable, predictable sequence of events rather than a single instance.

   表示反复或习惯性的时间参照

   • After the sun sets, the temperature drops rapidly in the desert.
   • She always takes a short walk after she finishes her morning coffee.
   • After the system updates, it automatically restarts to apply the changes.
   • He checks his email after he arrives at the office every day.
   • After winter ends, migratory birds return to their breeding grounds.

• 介词，表示在时间或顺序上晚于某事物，跟在某人或某事物之后。也可表示追赶、追求。

The preposition 'after' is used to indicate a later point in time or order, following something or someone, pursuit or search, and various figurative meanings like succession, imitation, or desire. It often answers 'when?' or 'in what sequence?'.

1. After (later in time)A1formal

   Used to indicate that something happens at a later time than something else; following an event or point in time.

   在……之后（时间上）

   • We went for a walk after dinner.
   • She called me after the meeting.
   • After a few minutes, the rain stopped.
   • He arrived shortly after noon.
   • Days after the accident, she still felt pain.

2. After (in sequence or order)A1formal

   Used to indicate that something comes next in a series or order; following something in a sequence.

   之后（顺序或次序）

   • The letter B comes after A.
   • Your name is listed after mine.
   • He finished after everyone else.
   • In the alphabet, P comes after O.
   • Spring comes after winter.

3. After (behind in position)A2formal

   Used to indicate that someone or something moves or is located behind another person or object.

   在……后面（空间位置）

   • Close the door after you leave.
   • He ran after the bus but missed it.
   • The dog ran after the cat.
   • She shut the gate after herself.
   • I saw a man walking after the procession.

4. After (in search of or trying to get)B1formal

   Used to indicate pursuit, search, or desire to catch, find, or obtain something.

   追寻 / 追求

   • The police are after the thief.
   • He is always after money and power.
   • She ran after her dreams.
   • I am after a new job at the moment.
   • The cat is after the mouse again.

5. After (because of or as a result of)B2formal

   Used to indicate that something happens as a result or consequence of something else, often in fixed phrases.

   由于 / 鉴于（作为结果）

   • After what he did, I can never trust him again.
   • After your behavior, you should apologize.
   • After the way she treated me, I left.
   • After everything we've been through, this is easy.
   • After hearing the news, she burst into tears.

6. After (in spite of or despite — usually with 'all')B2formal

   Used with 'all' to mean 'despite' or 'even though something happened'.

   尽管 / 虽然（与'all'连用）

   • After all my work, I still failed.
   • After all that trouble, he didn't even show up.
   • After everything, she forgave him.
   • After all my advice, he did the opposite.
   • After all his promises, he let us down.

7. After (in the style of or imitating)B2formalart

   Used to indicate that something is named or patterned after someone or something else.

   以…命名 / 仿照… / 效仿

   • He was named after his grandfather.
   • This painting is after Rembrandt.
   • She styled her hair after a famous actress.
   • The building was modeled after a Greek temple.
   • The cocktail is named after the city it was invented in.