all right

¹

[awl rahyt, awl rahyt]

adverb

1. yes; very well; OK.

   All right, I'll go with you.

2. (used as an interrogative or interrogative tag) OK?; do you agree?.

   We'll deal with this problem tomorrow, all right?

3. satisfactorily; acceptably.

   His work is coming along all right.

4. without fail; certainly.

   You'll hear about this, all right!

adjective

1. safe; sound.

   Are you all right?

2. satisfactory; acceptable.

   His performance was all right, but I've seen better.

3. Informal.,  reliable; good.

   That fellow is all right.

all-right

²

[awl-rahyt]

adjective

Informal.

1. agreeable, acceptable, or commendable.

   an all-right plan.

all right

adjective

1. adequate; satisfactory

2. unharmed; safe

3. slang

   1. acceptable

      an all-right book

   2. reliable

      an all-right guy

1. very well: used to express assent

adverb

1. satisfactorily; adequately

   the car goes all right

2. without doubt

   he's a bad one, all right

Spelling Note

See alright.

Word History and Origins

Origin of all right¹

First recorded in 1100–50; originally an adverbial phrase; compare Middle English al ri(g)ht “indeed, straightway, at once,” late Old English eall riht “just (as)”

Origin of all right²

First recorded in 1815–25

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. (a) bit of all right, quite satisfactory (used as an understatement).

   The way he saved that child's life was a bit of all right.

Completely correct, as in You have a perfect score—your answers are all right . (It could just as well be put as “all your answers are right.”)

In proper or working order, in a satisfactory way, as in The engine is running all right now . [Late 1800s] Also see turn out all right .

In good health, as in John had the flu, but he's all right now . [Early 1900s]

Not injured, safe, as in It was just a minor accident and everyone is all right . [Early 1900s]

Very well, yes, as in Do you want to leave now?—All right , or All right, we'll stay home . [First half of 1800s] Also see all right with you .

Certainly, without a doubt, as in It's late all right, but it will probably come today . [Mid-1800s]

Hurrah! Good for you, as in All right! your team has done it again! [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

Also, all-right . Good, satisfactory. For example, This restaurant is all right , or Harry is an all-right guy . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

Related Words

• okay 
• very well