What does postdiluvian mean?
Postdiluvian means existing after the biblical Flood and, by extension, belonging to a much later period. Its literal sense is chiefly literary or historical, as when a writer describes a place or object as belonging to the world that came after Noah's Flood. Figuratively, the word can suggest that something is extremely modern, especially in contrast with an antiquated technology, custom, or institution. Postdiluvian is therefore more rhetorical than neutral and often carries a mildly humorous or exaggerated tone. It belongs to a family formed with the Latin prefix post-, meaning “after,” and diluvian, meaning “pertaining to a flood.” Its close semantic opposite is antediluvian, which refers to the period before the Flood. Although understandable, postdiluvian is uncommon in everyday speech and is best suited to formal, literary, historical, or intentionally playful contexts.
adjectiveExisting, occurring, or belonging to the period after the biblical Flood. The term is also used figuratively for things regarded as very modern or belonging to a later age.
- Existing, occurring, or belonging to the time after the biblical Flood.
- Figuratively, belonging to a much later age or regarded as very modern.
"The scholar dismissed the settlement as a postdiluvian outpost beyond the reach of ancient law."
"The manuscript was discovered in a postdiluvian settlement near the river."
"For the young inventor, the museum's analogue technology was practically postdiluvian."
Postdiluvian may describe anything from an ancient archive to the latest smartphone: in the biblical timeline, it means after the Flood; figuratively, it means unmistakably modern.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does postdiluvian come from?
Postdiluvian was formed in English from the Latin prefix post-, meaning “after,” and diluvian, an adjective derived from Latin diluvium, meaning “a flood” or “deluge.” It belongs to the same biblical contrast as antediluvian, which refers to the era before the Flood. The compound follows the established English pattern of pairing pre- and post- with a historical-period term.
How postdiluvian is actually used
This is a literary, scholarly, or deliberately humorous word rather than ordinary vocabulary. It may imply that something is surprisingly late, recent, or technologically advanced.
Easily confused with postdiluvian
Diluvian relates to a flood, especially the biblical Flood, whereas postdiluvian specifically means existing after it.
Antediluvian means belonging to the period before the biblical Flood, while postdiluvian belongs to the period after it.