What does "aftereffect" mean?
Any delayed effect; an effect which is not immediately manifested.
Aftereffect
/ˈæftəɹ.əˌfɛkt/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any delayed effect; an effect which is not immediately manifested.
- Grammar: aftereffect is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adverse effect, afterbirth, afterclap, aftercrop.
- Useful contrasts: cause, outriders.
- Usage evidence: And then Rook snapped out of it and noticed (in this strange state he was in—an aftereffect of the soma?) as clear as day everything—almost as if a sixth sense had become acute and he was fully aware of his eminent and imminent death and he saw everything crystal clearly and noticed that Anatoli, usually calm as a cucumber on the set, was now sweating and not calm and perhaps claustrophobic?
How to use "aftereffect"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "aftereffect" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "aftereffect" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "aftereffect" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "aftereffect" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "aftereffect" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adverse effect" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "aftereffect", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any delayed effect; an effect which is not immediately manifested.
"And then Rook snapped out of it and noticed (in this strange state he was in—an aftereffect of the soma?) as clear as day everything—almost as if a sixth sense had become acute and he was fully aware of his eminent and imminent death and he saw everything crystal clearly and noticed that Anatoli, usually calm as a cucumber on the set, was now sweating and not calm and perhaps claustrophobic?"
- 2 any result that follows its cause after an interval wordnet
- 3 a delayed effect of a drug or therapy wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"And then Rook snapped out of it and noticed (in this strange state he was in—an aftereffect of the soma?) as clear as day everything—almost as if a sixth sense had become acute and he was fully aware of his eminent and imminent death and he saw everything crystal clearly and noticed that Anatoli, usually calm as a cucumber on the set, was now sweating and not calm and perhaps claustrophobic?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "aftereffect"?
Common synonyms include: adverse effect, afterbirth, afterclap, aftercrop, afterglow, aftergrowth.
How do you use "aftereffect" in a sentence?
And then Rook snapped out of it and noticed (in this strange state he was in—an aftereffect of the soma?) as clear as day everything—almost as if a sixth sense had become acute and he was fully aware of his eminent and imminent death and he saw everything crystal clearly and noticed that Anatoli, usually calm as a cucumber on the set, was now sweating and not calm and perhaps claustrophobic?
How do you pronounce "aftereffect"?
Pronounced /ˈæftəɹ.əˌfɛkt/.
Etymology
From after- + effect.