# posterior

> English word · Adjective · IPA /pɒsˈtɪə.ɹi.ə/ · frequency rank #16,562

## Definitions
1. Nearer the rear or hind end; nearer the caudal end of the body in quadrupeds or the dorsal end in bipeds.
2. Nearer the rear or hind end; nearer the caudal end of the body in quadrupeds or the dorsal end in bipeds.
3. Following in order or in time.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin posterior (“that comes or follows after; later, latter”).

## Easily confused with
- **posterity** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/posterior-vs-posterity)

## Common misspellings (13)
`opsterior`, `posetrior`, `possterior`, `posteiror`, `posteriorr`, `posteriro`, `posteroir`, `posterrior`, `postreior`, `postterior`, `potserior`, `pposterior`, `psoterior`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/posterior