afterthought

American  

[af-ter-thawt, ahf-] / ˈæf tərˌθɔt, ˈɑf- /

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.

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afterthought British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of afterthought

First recorded in 1655–65; after + thought ¹

Explanation

An afterthought is something you think of or add later. You might quickly wrap a gift and then stick a bow on it as an afterthought just before you hand it to the birthday boy. Sometimes calling something an afterthought is a bit of an insult — a movie reviewer might complain that female characters seem added on as afterthoughts, or a diner at a fancy restaurant could note that while the meat is well-cooked, the vegetables are nothing but an afterthought. This word has been used since the 1600s, a compound of after and thought.

Example Sentences

At some golf resorts, activities for the people who don’t play feel like an afterthought.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Balance, it seems, is merely an afterthought — or disregarded entirely.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

But Robertson welcomed the long-term plans as "amazing news", assuming players aren't an afterthought when rebuilding begins.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Yet as the story progresses, the unnamed author’s detours and digressions pile up, and Bernadette’s actual adventures begin to feel like an afterthought.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

These stairs were an afterthought in this curious old house.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom