after-hours

[ af-ter-ouuhrz, -ou-erz, ahf- ]

adjective

1. occurring, engaged in, or operating after the normal or legal closing time for business:

   an after-hours drinking club.

Word History and Origins

Origin of after-hours¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Idioms and Phrases

After normal working hours, after closing time; also, after legal or established opening hours. For example, I haven't time while the shop is open, but I can see you after hours , or The restaurant employees sometimes stayed for a meal after hours . This term originally referred to laws governing business hours. It also gave rise to the term after-hours club , for a drinking club that remained open later than similar establishments. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

No injuries were reported in the shootings, as they all occurred after-hours.

From Salon

No injuries were reported in the after-hours blaze.

From Salon

The report came as the three major share indexes in the US closed lower, and investors sold off big names, including Amazon, in after-hours trade.

From BBC

Match Group's share price rose by nearly 10% in after-hours trading on Tuesday after reporting its results.

From BBC

Many of these musical matches are the result of Sosa’s running about town, where she shoots everything from the Hollywood Bowl to underground after-hours.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• midnight

More About After-hours

What does after-hours mean?

After-hours describes something that happens after normal or legal hours of operation for a business or service, as in The after-hours party starts as soon as the bar closes for the night.

After-hours can describe something that happens after its normal time, such as a business meeting that takes place after the close of the business day. In the US, many business offices close at 5 pm. A meeting that took place at 7 pm, for example, would be an after-hours meeting.

After-hours can also describe something that happens after the allotted time. It’s generally used in situations in which something can be conducted after a business or program has ended and will still be honored. This use is most often used in reference to the stock market and investing, such as in the phrase after-hours trading. The New York Stock Exchange, for example, is only open from 9:30 am to 4 pm, but trading can be conducted at any time of the day.

Finally, after-hours can simply describe something that happens late at night. You might find a restaurant that serves an after-hours breakfast, meaning they serve breakfast foods late at night, especially after midnight.

Example: Joanie tried after-hours trading but found that she made more money during regular trading hours.

Where does after-hours come from?

The first records of the term after-hours come from around the 1920s. It combines the term after, meaning “later in time than,” and hours, meaning “a period regularly appointed for work.”

One common use of after-hours is for after-hours clubs. For example, most bars, taverns, and pubs in the United States close at 2 am due to state regulations. An after-hours club is open after the bars close and focus on music and dancing.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to after-hours?

• after hours (prepositional phrase)

What are some synonyms for after-hours?

• late

What are some words that share a root or word element with after-hours? 

• after
• hours

What are some words that often get used in discussing after-hours?

• business
• club
• deal

How is after-hours used in real life?

When referring to stock trading, after-hours is sometimes used with a cautionary tone or in determined planning. When referring to something happening after a business closes, after-hours can be positive, as in an event, but can also be negative, as in an incident after closing time.

We celebrate the release of a new @CactusBlossoms album in any weather! One Day is out on CD today (vinyl out 5/13). Pick it up and get your pass to our after-hours event with them Sat night. We’re open 10-6 today & Sat. https://t.co/hp8wTd4HfG pic.twitter.com/JKcZDDz376

— Electric Fetus MPLS (@efetusmpls) February 11, 2022

The fact that there's a concept of after-hours trading in centralized finance really tells you all you need to know. #Bitcoin never sleeps.

— Cameron Winklevoss (@cameron) February 25, 2021

Redfin shares plunged more than 10% in after-hours trading Thursday, after executives predicted losses in the first quarter of 2022 would exceed full-year losses in 2021 as the company maintains an iBuying business that a rival dropped.https://t.co/gM7tfGRlWF pic.twitter.com/lwdEnoDpvy

— MarketWatch (@MarketWatch) February 17, 2022

 

Try using after-hours!

True or False?

Meeting with a company worker when they are on break is an after-hours meeting.