Atter

A Southern and Appalachian term meaning after, "atter" is a dialect pronunciation that comes from natural vowel changes in mountain and Southern Midland speech.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: after, following, later than, subsequent to

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I grew up hearin’ 'atter' and 'atterwhile' - but only because my buddy's dad grew up in Western NC. I never heard it from my family or community, so I'm gonna call this one as more regional.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Pronunciation

[AT-ur]
/ˈætər/

Meaning & Usage

- After (preposition/adverb)

Mae:

We’ll head out atter supper.

Earl:

Alright, I’ll get the truck warmed up.

Ruby:

You can play atter you finish your chores.

variations: atter, after (standard form)

★ "Atter" shows up most in relaxed, everyday speech. If you hear it, you’re likely around folks with deep mountain or Southern Midland roots. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Atter" comes from a regional pronunciation of "after," shaped by Scots-Irish-influenced vowel reduction in Southern Midland and Appalachian English. The form appears in dialect writing from the 1800s onward and is noted across the mountain South, including East Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

Usage Notes

"Atter" is rarely written except in dialect pieces, but remains familiar in speech among older Southern and Appalachian speakers. It reflects the natural sound shifts of the region rather than incorrect grammar.

Common in phrases referring to time: "atter dark," "atter a while," "atter church."
Often softened in actual speech - nearly "ad’r."
Used casually; rarely appears in formal writing.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "atter" mean the same as "after"?

Yes. It’s simply the regional pronunciation.

Is "atter" still used today?

Yes, particularly among older speakers and in rural Appalachian or Southern Midland communities.

Is it improper English?

No - it’s a natural dialect form, not a mistake.

Where is it most common?

Appalachia, the Southern Midland region, and areas with strong Scots-Irish settlement history.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 16). Atter. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/atter
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Atter." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/atter.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Atter." HillbillySlang.com. November 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/atter.

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