What is afternoon? Pronunciation and usage in English

afternoon means . Learn how to pronounce and use afternoon through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of afternoon

afternoonnoun

/ˌɑːftəˈnuːn/
Definition & pronunciation of afternoon

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "afternoon" in English. It's a tricky one for learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: The word is generally broken down into three syllables:

  • Af-ter-noon

2. Pronunciation Breakdown:

  • "Af": Pronounced like the "af" in "apple". Short and crisp.

  • "ter": Pronounced like "ter" in "term". The "t" is sharp.

  • "noon": This is the trickiest part! It's not pronounced "no-on" like it looks. It's pronounced like "noo-n".

    • The emphasis is on the first syllable ("noo").
    • The "n" at the end is a short, quick “n” sound.

3. Putting it all together:

It sounds approximately like: "Af-ter-noo-n"

4. Tips & Visual Cues:

  • Think of "noo": Really focus on getting that "noo" sound at the end.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce afternoon" on Google. You'll find audio pronunciations.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/afternoon/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
    • YouTube: Many pronunciation videos are available on YouTube.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What specifically are you struggling with in the pronunciation? (e.g., the "noo" sound, the rhythm of the word)?

Usage and examples with the word afternoon in English

Let's break down how to use the word "afternoon" in English. It's a pretty straightforward word, but there are nuances to consider.

1. Basic Definition:

  • The time of day between late morning and evening. Generally, it's considered to be from noon (12:00 PM) to around 6:00 PM, though this can vary slightly depending on the culture and context.

2. Common Uses:

  • As a noun (thing):

    • "I’m going for a walk in the afternoon." (Referring to the time of day)
    • "We had a picnic in the afternoon.” (Referring to a specific period)
    • “The afternoon light is beautiful.” (Referring to the quality of light)

  • As a time expression:

    • "Let’s meet in the afternoon." (Suggesting a time)
    • "I'm free in the afternoon." (Indicating availability)
    • "The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 PM in the afternoon." (Giving a specific time)

3. Phrases and Idioms:

  • "In the afternoon": This is the most common way to specify a time.
    • "I’ll call you in the afternoon."
  • "Afternoon tea": A traditional afternoon refreshment, often with sandwiches, scones, and cakes.
  • "Afternoon slump": The feeling of tiredness and reduced concentration that some people experience in the mid-afternoon.
  • “Afternoon rush”: (Usually in a context like traffic or a store) When a large number of people arrive at once.

4. Contrast with Other Times of Day:

  • Morning: Before noon.
  • Evening: From dusk (around 6:00 PM) until bedtime.
  • Night: After evening, from darkness until morning.

5. Formal vs. Informal:

  • "Afternoon" is generally considered a fairly neutral word and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Here are some examples showing different ways to use it:

  • Formal: “The board of directors will convene in the afternoon for a review of the quarterly report.”
  • Informal: “Let’s grab some ice cream in the afternoon.”

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some more examples?
  • Explain a specific usage (e.g., "afternoon tea")?
  • Help you construct a sentence using "afternoon"?

Synonyms for the word afternoon

Practice with vocabulary afternoon

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. I usually take a short nap in the __________ to recharge for the rest of the day.
  2. The meeting has been rescheduled to the __________ because the morning slot was unavailable.
  3. She decided to go for a walk in the __________, enjoying the warm sunlight.
  4. We’ll visit the museum in the __________, right after lunch.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. When is the best time to catch good lighting for photos?
    a) Morning
    b) Afternoon
    c) Midnight
  2. Which word refers to the time between morning and evening?
    a) Midnight
    b) Afternoon
    c) Dawn
  3. When does the sun typically start to set?
    a) Morning
    b) Afternoon
    c) Evening
  4. Which term describes the period just after noon?
    a) Twilight
    b) Afternoon
    c) Nightfall
  5. What is a synonym for "early evening"?
    a) Dusk
    b) Morning
    c) Noon

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: We’ll go shopping later in the day.
    Rewrite: We’ll go shopping in the afternoon.
  2. Original: The sun is brightest during the early part of the evening.
    Rewrite: The sun is brightest in the late afternoon.
  3. Original: She enjoys reading in the evening.
    Rewrite: She enjoys reading at dusk.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. afternoon
  2. afternoon
  3. evening
  4. afternoon

Exercise 2:

  1. b) Afternoon
  2. b) Afternoon
  3. c) Evening
  4. b) Afternoon
  5. a) Dusk

Exercise 3:

  1. We’ll go shopping in the afternoon.
  2. The sun is brightest in the late afternoon.
  3. She enjoys reading at dusk.

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