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

Later, after all the fighting at Kathy’s Hilton Garden Inn and Suites, Rachel has the same realization. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026

In the end, they didn’t get delayed, after all. —Pat Maio, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026

The renovations, after all, constitute a $1 billion-plus undertaking that is set to be complete by 2030. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026

The premise of the movie is that Lorne Michaels is one of those rare showbiz figures known, almost mythologically, by one name (like Cher or Madonna), that he’s been studied from every angle by the media and by everyone who ever worked for him…but after all that, nobody knows him. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Apr. 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
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol

Kids Definition

after all

adverb

: in spite of what was indicated or expected

decided to go after all

it rained after all