afterwords

afterwords — noun

1. writing added at the end of a novel or play, in which the author shares reflecti

1.nounB2
Definition

writing added at the end of a novel or play, in which the author shares reflections, background, or acknowledgments related to the work

Example

Talia's afterword to her first novel explained how her childhood inspired the lead character.

afterword + to + [work] for specifying which work

The afterword to the play described each family member's fate after the war ended.

Common collocations
  • write an afterword
  • contribute an afterword
  • in the afterword
  • the author's afterword
  • afterword to the novel
Synonyms
  • epilogue

    An epilogue continues the story's narrative, while an afterword offers real-world commentary from the author.

  • postscript

    A postscript is much shorter and usually added to personal letters, not books.

Antonyms
  • preface

    appears at the beginning of a book rather than the end

  • foreword

    appears at the beginning, often written by someone other than the author

Grammar Patterns

afterword + to [book/play]

in the afterword

write + an afterword

Usage Note

An afterword is not the same as a preface or foreword, which appear at the beginning of a book. Unlike an epilogue, an afterword is usually not part of the fictional story — it is the author's real-world commentary.

Common Mistakes

The foreword at the end of the book contained the author's thanks.
The afterword at the end of the book contained the author's thanks.
A foreword appears at the beginning of a book, not the end.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Afterword, epilogue, and postscript all refer to text placed after the main body of a written work, but they serve different purposes. An afterword is a real-world commentary written by the author or another person, offering reflection or context rather than continuing the story. An epilogue is part of the fictional narrative itself, showing what happens to the characters after the main events conclude. A postscript (often shortened to P.S.) is a brief personal note added after a letter or the end of a work. For example, a novel might include an epilogue showing the characters' lives ten years later, while the author's afterword explains why she chose to end the story that way.

afterword ↗epilogue ↗postscript

Common collocations

Nouns

  • author's afterword
  • new afterword

Phrases

  • write the afterword
  • read the afterword
  • contribute an afterword
  • add an afterword

Prepositions

  • afterword to
  • in the afterword
  • in an afterword

Etymology

English

Formed within English by combining 'after' and 'word', modelled on the earlier term 'foreword'. The word arose in the mid-19th century as a natural counterpart to 'foreword' (words before the main text), with 'afterword' naming the words added after it.

First known use

1890

1890, in the meaning defined above