Afternoon

The afternoon is the part of the day that generally comes after midday and before evening. Unlike a scientific unit such as an hour, the afternoon does not have one universally fixed starting and ending time. In everyday use, it often begins around noon or shortly afterward and continues until the early evening. Its exact limits depend on local habits, language, schedules, and the time of year.

The changing position of the Sun helps us distinguish this period from other parts of the day. After solar noon, when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky for that location, it gradually moves toward the western horizon. Daylight usually continues for several hours, although its length changes with the season and latitude. The afternoon is also an important part of daily routines.

People may eat lunch, attend school or work, play, rest, or take part in other activities during these hours. In some places, a short rest after lunch is a common custom, while in others the afternoon follows a continuous schedule. Our bodies also respond to the time of day through biological rhythms, which help regulate sleep, alertness, body temperature, and other functions.

The afternoon should not be confused with solar noon: solar noon is a specific moment when the Sun reaches its highest daily position, whereas the afternoon is a broader period that follows it. As evening approaches, sunlight becomes lower and often warmer in appearance, before the transition toward sunset and night.