afternoon - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
afternoon Word Meanings
- The time of day between noon and evening.
- A period of time for relaxation or leisure after lunch.
- The latter part of the day.
afternoon Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
afternoon Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˌɑːf.təˈnuːn/
US
/ˌæf.tɚˈnun/
afternoon Word Etymology
afternoon = after + noon; Origin: Old English afternūne → Middle English aft(e)rnoon → Modern English. Memory image: Picture a sun dipping lower in the sky, casting soft shadows in your yard during the peaceful time after lunch.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I set the notebook aside and lean toward the window, letting the afternoon slide in. The light moves across the desk as I decide what to do next. I adjust my pace, hold the moment, and check whether I want a quick walk or a quiet stretch of work. This stretch of time becomes a string of small choices I keep returning to.
Real Context
Afternoon refers to the time of day after the peak of daylight and before evening, roughly from around 12:00 or 1:00 pm to around 4:00 or 5:00 pm, depending on culture and daylight hours. In everyday use, people often speak of the afternoon as a period for work tasks followed by a break, or as the time for social activities like tea or a nap after lunch. In some contexts the term can emphasize a portion of the day rather than a specific clock time, so learners should note that exact timings vary by region and season.
Usage Reminders
- Use 'in the afternoon' for a general time, or 'this afternoon' for a specific day.
- Common collocations: afternoon tea, afternoon nap, afternoon meeting.
- When giving times, pair with a clock: 'at 3:00 in the afternoon' or 'around 3 PM'.
- Some languages have a broader sense of afternoon; check local usage.
- With schedules, avoid mixing with morning phrases; use the correct preposition.
- Practice both formal and informal contexts to hear natural phrasing.
Common Misconceptions
- Afternoon is the same as evening.
- Afternoon always starts exactly at 12:00 and ends exactly at 18:00 in every place.
- Afternoon means a fixed hour block, not a flexible period.
- You cannot use 'afternoon' without a time phrase; it's always with a clock time.
- 'This afternoon' implies a plan for today, not just any afternoon.
Thinking Differences
For English learners, afternoon is a flexible block that can vary by region and context; learners often overgeneralize to fixed 12:00–18:00 and confuse it with evening.
Learning Tips
- Learn where afternoon begins and ends in your region
- Practice phrases: this afternoon, in the afternoon, around a specific time
- Couple afternoon with common activities (tea, nap, meeting)
- Differentiate afternoon from morning and evening in context
- Use a clock when talking about exact times
- Listen for regional differences in timing
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of 'afternoon'?
A.A type of fruit
B.The time when the sun rises
C.The period of time from noon to evening
D.A musical instrument
Step 2: Usage
Choose the sentence that uses 'afternoon' correctly.
A.He went to bed early in the afternoon.
B.She studied for her exam in the afternoon sky.
C.I will eat lunch in the afternoon.
D.The morning sun sets in the afternoon.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'afternoon'?
A.evening
B.noon
C.darkness
D.dawn
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'afternoon'?
A.dusk
B.night
C.morning
D.midnight
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where you would encounter 'afternoon'?
A.During a morning meeting
B.At a restaurant for dinner
C.While taking a walk after lunch
D.In the middle of a leisure park day
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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