As a preposition or adverb, it means later than or following in time, place, or order. It can also introduce a clause (as a conjunction), or describe something that comes later in a sequence.
From Old English *æfter* “behind, following, later,” related to words meaning “back” or “again.” Its core meaning of “later in time or position” has stayed stable.
‘After’ is a time-and-space word: it can describe both when something happens and where it comes in a line. That’s why “after you” works for letting someone go first in both conversations and doorways.
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