all

1 determiner /O:l/ determiner, predeterminer

1 the complete amount or quantity of; the whole of: I've got all day tomorrow to do it. | He had worked all his life in the mine. | Have you done all your homework? | She didn't say a single word all the way back home. | all the time (=very often, especially in a way that is annoying): It rained all the time we were on holiday!

2 everyone of: Someone's taken all my books! | Will all the girls please stand over here. | all kinds of: The course attracts all kinds of people. | All these questions must be answered. | you all/they all/it all etc: They all passed the exam.

3 the greatest possible amount of: With all due respect, I really cannot agree with your last statement.

4 of all people/things/places etc used to show surprise when mentioning a particular person, thing, or place: Of course you shouldn't have done it - you of all people should know that!

5 all innocence/smiles etc used to emphasize that someone or something has a particular quality of appearance: Elsie was all smiles when I saw her again the next morning.

6 for all... in spite of a particular fact, quality, or situation: For all her rudeness, she's actually quite a kind-hearted old soul.

7 go all out/make an all-out effort to do everything you can to succeed: We're all out to win the cup this year.

2 adverb adverb

1 (always + adj/adv/prep) all alone/new/dark etc,: You shouldn't be sitting here by yourself, all alone. | I'm all confused now! | The room suddenly went all dark. | all for/all in favour of (=used to say that you strongly support or agree with something): One minute he's all for all Labour policy, the next minute he's knocking it.

2 one, four, ten all used when giving the score of a game in which both sides have scored the same

3 not all that spoken not very: It doesn't sound all that good, does it? | I don't think it matters all that much.

4 all along informal all the time from the beginning while something was happening: I knew all along that this relationship wouldn't last. | Maybe this is what they were trying to achieve all along.

5 all at once

a) happening all together at the same time: Obviously they can't do everything all at once.

b) suddenly and unexpectedly: All at once, I knew there was something wrong.

6 all over

a) everywhere on an object or surface: There were bits of paper all over the floor. | He has cuts all over his legs.

b) everywhere in a place: Antique clocks from all over the world are on display. | People came from all over the country. | They're putting up new offices all over the place.

c) finished: I saw my old girlfriend the other day, but that's all over now. (=our relationship is finished)

7 that's sb all over spoken that is typical of him or her: He was late of course, but that's Tim all over!

8 all the easier/healthier/more effectively etc used to emphasize how much more easy, etc something is than it would normally have been: Their success is all the more pleasing when you consider the effort they've made. | The job was made all the easier by having the proper tools.

9 all the same spoken in spite of something that you have just mentioned: We realised that the children would have to leave home, but all the same it was difficult when they went.

10 it's all the same to me used to say that you do not mind what decision is made, that you would be pleased with any choice or that you do not really care: You can choose what we do, it's all the same to me.

11 all but almost completely: Their screams of excitement all but drowned out the music.

12 all too much more than is desirable: All too often it's the mother who gets blamed for her children's behaviour.

13 all told counting or including everyone; all together: There were seventeen of us at the meeting, all told.

14 it's all up (with) informal used to say that it is impossible for someone to continue doing something, especially when they have been involved in criminal activities

15 (not) all there informal someone who is not all there cannot think in a clear normal way and seems slightly crazy: I don't think he's quite all there.

3 pronoun

1 every one or every part of something: I ate the whole packet, all of them! | That's all I know about it. | Not all the children were vaccinated. | I've heard it all before.

2 used to emphasize the most basic or necessary facts or details about a situation: All you need is a hammer and some nails. | All I'm asking for is a little respect.

3 for all sb knows/cares etc

used to say that something could happen, especially something very unpleasant or serious, and someone would not know or care about it: The old woman could have been lying dead in the house for all her family cared.

4 and all

a) the whole thing; including everything or everybody mentioned: They ate the whole fish; bones, tail, head, and all.

b) spoken an expression meaning as well, used to emphasize what you have just said.: And you can take that smelly coat out of here and all! | "Look, it's snowing!" "Oh, it is and all!"

5 it costs all of 50p/took all of 20 minutes etc spoken used to emphasize or express how large or small an amount actually is

6 it was all I could do to... used to say that you only just succeeded in doing something: It was all I could do to stop them hitting each other!

7 (not) at all used in questions and negative statements to emphasize what you are saying: They've done nothing at all to try and put the problem right. | They obviously weren't at all happy. | Does he get no pension at all? | Do you know anything about it at all? | He's not looking at all well. (=he looks ill) | "Do you mind if I stay for a bit longer?" "Not at all!" (=certainly not, please do)

8 all in all considering every part of a situation: All in all, it's been a pretty bad year for John Major.

9 it's all or nothing

a) used to say that unless something is done completely or done in the exact way that you want, something else will happen, especially something unpleasant: It was all or nothing for Susan; either the company offered her a pay rise or she would leave.

b) used to say that someone is using all their effort and energy in order to try and do something

-see also: all and sundry sundry (1), each 1, every 4 noun do /give your all literary to do everything possible to try and achieve something: The coach expects everyone to give their all in every game.