Afterglow is the soft light that lingers in the sky after the sun has set below the horizon. Even though the sun itself has disappeared, its light continues to bounce off particles high in the atmosphere, creating bands of pink, orange, and purple that gradually fade into darkness. The afterglow can last for thirty minutes or more after sunset, and it's often even more beautiful than the sunset itself.

The word also describes a pleasant feeling that stays with you after something good has ended. After finishing an excellent book, you might sit for a moment in the afterglow of the story, still thinking about the characters and their adventures. After your team wins a championship game, the afterglow of victory keeps everyone smiling and celebrating for days. After a wonderful vacation, you return home in the afterglow of all those happy memories.

Like the sky's afterglow, this emotional afterglow is a warm, gentle feeling that gradually fades but makes the ending of something good feel less abrupt. It's that lingering sense of satisfaction and contentment that reminds you of what just happened, letting you enjoy it a little bit longer even though the moment itself has passed.