ALL

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does all mean? 

• ALL (adjective)
  The adjective ALL has 2 senses:

1. quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
2. completely given to or absorbed by

  Familiarity information: ALL used as an adjective is rare.

• ALL (adverb)
  The adverb ALL has 1 sense:

1. to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent ('whole' is often used informally for 'wholly')

  Familiarity information: ALL used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALL (adjective)

Meaning:

Quantifier; used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

Context examples:

we sat up all night / ate all the food / all men are mortal / all parties are welcome

Similar:

each ((used of count nouns) every one considered individually)

every ((used of count nouns) each and all of the members of a group considered singly and without exception)

every last ((used as intensive) every)

every (each and all of a series of entities or intervals as specified)

Antonym:

no (quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns for indicating a complete or almost complete lack or zero quantity of)

some (quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity)

Meaning:

Completely given to or absorbed by

Context example:

became all attention

Similar:

complete (having every necessary or normal part or component or step)

• ALL (adverb)

Meaning:

To a complete degree or to the full or entire extent ('whole' is often used informally for 'wholly')

Synonyms:

all; altogether; completely; entirely; totally; whole; wholly

Context examples:

he was wholly convinced / entirely satisfied with the meal / it was completely different from what we expected / was completely at fault / a totally new situation / the directions were all wrong / it was not altogether her fault / an altogether new approach / a whole new idea

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)