all out, with all available means or effort: We went all out to win the war.Nautical all in the wind, too close to the wind.very tired Įxhausted: We were all in at the end of the day. Dialect Terms all in, Northern and Western U.S.Notwithstanding: For all that, it was a good year.įinally: The case was settled once and for all when the appeal was denied.Įxclusively: He spent his income all on pleasure. in the slightest degree: I wasn't surprised at all.and all, together with every other associated or connected attribute, object, or circumstance: What with the snow and all, we may be a little late.Printing, Journalism all in hand, (of the copy for typesetting a particular article, book, issue, etc.) in the possession of the compositor.altogether: There were twelve absentees all in all.Įverything regarded as important: Painting became his all in all.In general: All in all, her health is greatly improved. Notwithstanding: He came in time after all. after all, in spite of the circumstances.one's whole interest, energy, or property: to give one's all to lose one's all.Ĭhiefly: Above all, the little girl wanted a piano.everything: Is that all you want to say? All is lost.the whole quantity or amount: He ate all of the peanuts.They were all ears, listening attentively to everything she said. dominated by or as if by the conspicuous possession or use of a particular feature: The colt was all legs.the greatest possible (used in referring to quality or degree): with all due respect with all speed.the whole number of (used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively): all students.the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration): all the cake all the way all year.Idioms of all, (used to give emphasis after a word like "first'', "last'', "best''): First of all, welcome to our college.Notwithstanding: It was a difficult time living abroad, but for all that, it was a good year. Idioms for all (that), in spite of (that).(used in other phrases for emphasis): Look, I'll take a job anywhere at all.in any way: didn't cause me any trouble at all.in the slightest degree or amount: Aren't there any doughnuts left at all?.
one's whole interest, energy, or property: Give it your all.the whole quantity, number, or entire amount: Did you eat all of the peanuts?.dominated by a particular feature: I'm all thumbs ( = very clumsy) when it comes to auto repairs.
the whole or full amount of or number of: She ate all the cake.(Use the alphabetical links to jump to that letter.All /ɔl/ USA pronunciation adj. You need to pick the one that best fits what you are trying to say.Ī B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W Y Z Often there will be a choice of several words. If you find yourself about to write, type or dictate a word you wouldn’t use in every day conversation, look it up in the A to Z. And using everyday words is an important first step towards clearer writing. But it will help if you want to get rid of words like ‘notwithstanding’, ‘expeditiously’ and phrases like ‘in the majority of instances’ and ‘ at this moment in time’. There’s more to it than just replacing ‘hard’ words with ‘easy’ words, and many of these alternatives won’t work in every situation.
On its own the guide won’t teach you how to write in plain English. This guide gives hundreds of plain English alternatives to the pompous words and phrases that litter official writing. The A - Z of alternative words Calling all writers