afterthought

[ af-ter-thawt, ahf- ]

noun

1. a later or second thought; reconsideration.
2. reflection after an act; an appropriate explanation, answer, expedient, or the like, conceived of too late for the occasion.
3. something added, as a part or feature, that was not included in the original plan or design:

   The vestry was added to the church as an afterthought.

afterthought

/ ˈɑːftəˌθɔːt /

noun

1. a comment, reply, etc, that occurs to one after the opportunity to deliver it has passed
2. an addition to something already completed

Word History and Origins

Origin of afterthought¹

First recorded in 1655–65; after + thought ¹

Example Sentences

With so many absentees and numerous debutants jammed between Test tours, the series has the air of an afterthought.

From BBC

The bathrooms tend to feel almost like a little afterthought, but I found that these ones felt the most like the extension of the room.

From Los Angeles Times

It comes as a government taskforce is set up to tackle the issue, but Ulster Unionist Party MP Robin Swann has stressed Northern Ireland must not be “an afterthought”.

From BBC

For me, it was almost an afterthought that they were musically talented, something they proved as they honed their skills as performers during the reality show’s weekly live performances, after being put together as a group by Simon Cowell.

From BBC

While the government has come a long way in recognizing the importance of Indigenous voices, they are often still an afterthought, she said.

From Los Angeles Times