aftermath
gb/ˈæftɚmˌæθ/ us/ˈæftɚmˌæθ/
B2
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
results and situation after disaster
The time and situation after a very bad event, including its problems and effects.
Usage pattern:
the aftermath of [a bad event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use 'aftermath' for small, everyday events (e.g., *the aftermath of my lunch*), which sounds unnatural; it is normally used for serious or large-scale events. Another common error is omitting 'of' or the article: it is usually used as 'the aftermath of [something]', not *aftermath of* or *an aftermath of* in most contexts.
Synonyms
consequences (More general; does not itself suggest a large or dramatic event the way 'aftermath' often does.)
|
fallout (Often informal and metaphorical; suggests wide or indirect negative effects, especially in political or social contexts.)
|
repercussions (Focuses on indirect or delayed negative effects, whereas 'aftermath' includes the whole post-event situation.)
Antonyms
build-up (Refers to the period and developments leading up to an event, the opposite temporal focus of 'aftermath'.)
|
prelude (A beginning or introduction before an event, contrasting with 'aftermath', which comes after.)
Collocations
in the aftermath of
|the aftermath of war
|the tragic aftermath
|economic aftermath
|deal with the aftermath
|political aftermath
Themes
disasters
|war
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In the aftermath of the earthquake, thousands of people were left without homes or clean water.
- The report examines the economic aftermath of the global financial crisis.
- Volunteers arrived to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
- The country is still struggling to heal in the aftermath of the civil war.
- The company faced a public relations disaster in the aftermath of the data breach.
Learner examples
- In the aftermath of the storm, the streets were full of water.
- The city was quiet in the aftermath of the big protest.
- Many people lost their jobs in the aftermath of the crisis.
- Rescue teams worked day and night in the aftermath of the accident.
- The government changed the law in the aftermath of the scandal.
Noun
archaic
C2
entity
2
second crop of grass
Grass that grows again after it has been cut, used as a second crop.
Usage pattern:
the aftermath on [a field]
Synonyms
regrowth (General word for something that grows again; not limited to grass or farming contexts.)
Antonyms
stubble (The short stalks left after cutting crops, contrasting with the new growth called 'aftermath'.)
Collocations
rich aftermath
|aftermath grazing
|aftermath on the field
Themes
agriculture
|nature
Examples
- The cattle were turned out to feed on the lush aftermath.
- Heavy rain had spoiled the aftermath, leaving little for winter feed.
- He rented the field for the summer crop and kept the aftermath for his own sheep.
Learner examples
- The farmer lets his cows eat the aftermath in the field.
- After the first cut of hay, new grass called aftermath grows.
- They use the aftermath as extra food for the animals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
aftermath
IPA
GB/ˈæftɚmˌæθ/
US/ˈæftɚmˌæθ/
Syllables & stress
af - ter - math (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (af)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: aftermath
- Plural: aftermath
Word family
Related words
aftereffect
noun
Expressions
in the aftermath of
1/ˈɪn ðə ˈæftɚmˌæθ əv/
fixed phrase
during the period after disaster
During the time and in the situation that exists after a very bad or serious event.
Examples
- New safety rules were introduced in the aftermath of the plane crash.
- Communities came together to support each other in the aftermath of the hurricane.