hereafter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, legal, literary
Quick answer
What does “hereafter” mean?
From this time forward.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
From this time forward; in the future.
In legal or formal contexts, it can refer to a later section of a document or to life after death.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British legal documents historically, but this distinction has largely faded.
Connotations
Conveys formality in both varieties. In religious contexts, the noun form ('the hereafter') is equally common.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for both, reserved for formal writing and specific registers.
Grammar
How to Use “hereafter” in a Sentence
[Hereafter] + [clause indicating future action][Subject] shall/will [hereafter] + [verb]In the hereafterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hereafter” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The company, hereafter known as 'NewCo', will commence trading in April.
- The rules set out hereafter are binding on all members.
American English
- The defendant, hereafter referred to as 'the Respondent', filed a motion.
- All payments hereafter must be made via electronic transfer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts and formal agreements to define terms for the rest of the document. 'The supplier, hereafter referred to as "the Contractor", shall...'
Academic
Used in scholarly texts to introduce a new term or concept for the remainder of the work.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously or with deliberate formality. 'Hereafter, you shall take out the bins on Tuesdays.'
Technical
Core use is in legal drafting and legislative texts to create defined terms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hereafter”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hereafter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hereafter”
- Using it in informal speech where 'from now on' is better.
- Confusing it with 'hereinafter' (which is strictly for in-document reference).
- Misspelling as 'here after' (two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word. 'Here after' as two words is incorrect for this meaning.
'Hereafter' means 'from this time forward'. 'Hereinafter' is more specific and formal, meaning 'in the following part of this document'.
Yes, as a noun (usually with 'the'), it means 'life after death' or 'the future', e.g., 'belief in the hereafter'.
No, it is a formal word. In everyday speech, people use phrases like 'from now on', 'in the future', or 'later'.
From this time forward.
Hereafter is usually formal, legal, literary in register.
Hereafter: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɪərˈɑːftə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɪrˈæftər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the hereafter (noun: afterlife)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HERE + AFTER = think of a timeline. HERE (at this point) we make a rule for what comes AFTER.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PATH (we are at a point 'here' on the path, looking at the section 'after' it).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hereafter' MOST appropriately used?