afterlife
Americannoun
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Also called future life. life after death.
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the later part of a person's life.
the remarkably productive afterlife of Thomas Jefferson.
noun
Etymology
Origin of afterlife
Explanation
Afterlife is a noun describing the state of being after one’s death. Many cultures and religions have a concept of an afterlife. Otherwise, much of humanity would be quite uneasy. In Eastern religions, there is a notion of “karma” or even of “nirvana,” where, after a person dies, reincarnation takes the soul to a more elevated form of life. The Judeo-Christian tradition trusts in “heaven”; the ancient Egyptians buried precious belongings with their dead to accompany them to the afterlife. Regardless of origin, most religions want people to believe that life doesn't stop when your pulse does.
Vocabulary lists containing afterlife
Ancient Egypt - Introductory
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Ancient Egypt - Middle School and High School
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King Tut Day
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The album explores themes of death, grief and the afterlife.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
The conversation often focuses on lofty concepts such as fear of death and the possibility of an afterlife.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Recently, although I never met my mother again in this life, I became aware that she had passed on to the afterlife.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
The “digital afterlife industry” is valued in the billions, providing customers around the globe with tools to resurrect their dead loved ones at scale.
From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026
“Hold up a second. This all makes for a nice story, but it goes way beyond a general suspension of disbelief. You’re talking about souls, and an afterlife, and some all-girl council.”
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
