Afternoon is the part of the day between noon (12:00 PM) and evening, when the sun starts moving from its highest point in the sky down toward the horizon. The afternoon usually lasts from about noon until 5 or 6 PM, though the exact time when afternoon ends and evening begins isn't precisely defined.

In most schools, afternoon includes the later classes and the time right after dismissal. Many people feel a dip in their energy during the mid-afternoon, which is why some cultures have traditions like the Spanish siesta, a short afternoon rest.

When you greet someone in the afternoon, you might say “Good afternoon.” If you're describing when something happened, you'd say “yesterday afternoon” or “tomorrow afternoon.” The phrase afternoon tea refers to a British custom of having tea and light snacks in the late afternoon, usually around 4 PM.