hereafter

Hereafter is a term used in English with several related senses. It is primarily an adverb meaning from this time forward or from this point on. In formal writing—such as legal documents, contracts, wills, and religious or ceremonial prose—it often introduces provisions or future references, as in “The parties hereafter shall fulfill their obligations.” In addition, hereafter can function as a noun meaning the future in general, and in religious contexts it can refer specifically to life after death (the hereafter).

Etymology and history: hereafter comes from the combination of here and after, with usage dating back to Middle English. It has long appeared in legal and ecclesiastical texts and remains common in older formal style, though it is less frequent in everyday speech today.

Usage notes: In legal drafting, there is a related term, hereinafter, used to indicate that a defined term will be named later in the document. Hereafter (as an adverb) and hereinafter can overlap in meaning, but the latter is more commonly used to introduce defined terms in legal contexts. Distinct but related is heretofore, meaning before now; hereafter and heretofore contrast in time reference.

Examples: “The grantor hereafter shall convey title to the grantee.” “The parties hereafter shall proceed in accordance with the agreement.” “Many await the hereafter with hope or trepidation.”

Overall, hereafter remains a formal, somewhat archival word, primarily appearing in legal, religious, and literary contexts to denote what comes after the present moment.