aftermath
noun
called also rowen
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Breaking Down Aftermath
At first glance, one might calculate aftermath to be closely related to mathematics and its cropped form math. But the math of mathematics (which came to English ultimately from Greek) and the math of aftermath grew from different roots. Aftermath dates to the late 1400s and was originally an agricultural term, an offshoot of the ancient word math, meaning “a mowing.” The original aftermath came, of course, after the math: it was historically the crop cut, grazed, or plowed under after the first crop of the season from the same soil. (Math is still used in some parts of the United Kingdom to refer to a mowing of a grass or hay crop, as well as to the crop that is mowed.) It wasn’t until the mid-1600s that aftermath came to have the meanings now familiar to us, referring to the period of time following a destructive event, or to a negative consequence or result.
Examples of aftermath in a Sentence
Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images In the aftermath of Horner's departure, Brundle spoke with people around the team about what had happened and why the sudden move had occurred.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The sequel, based on the popular video game, hits theaters on Dec. 5 with Josh Hutcherson returning as Mike Schmidt in the aftermath of a brutal supernatural showdown in the first film.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
Documents released on the day of the sentencing hearing also unfurled details on the aftermath of the gruesome murders – from the police response to the scene to the first interview with Kohberger following his arrest.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aftermath
Cite this Entry
“Aftermath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftermath. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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aftermath
noun
Old English mæth "mowing," from māwan "to mow"
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