after all

adverb

1

: in spite of considerations or expectations to the contrary : nevertheless

decided to take the train after all

didn't rain after all

2

: in view of all circumstances

… literature which is after all only a special department of reading.

—W. W. Watt

Examples of after all in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Leclerc is, after all, still mathematically in contention to win this year’s championship. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The achievements of Newton and the Royal Society are, after all, still celebrated today. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Trying to negotiate further doesn't guarantee a better outcome, after all, and the debt collector isn't required to keep its original offer available indefinitely. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Stan sees shame as an integral part of the immigrant experience, especially for children, who, after all, didn’t make the decision to move. — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for after all

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids Definition

after all

adverb

: in spite of what was indicated or expected

decided to go after all

it rained after all