Does Afterwards Mean Later?

: at a later time He found out the truth long afterward.

What is the difference between later and afterwards?

Afterwards is an adverb. If something happens afterwards, it happens after a particular event or time that has already been mentioned. ... Later is an adverb. You use later to refer to a time or situation that follows the time when you are speaking.

Do I use afterward or afterwards?

There's no difference in meaning between "afterward" and "afterwards," but the two are generally used in separate contexts. In American English, "afterward" is more common, whereas in British English and Canadian English, "afterwards" is.