all-around
Americanadjective
-
able to do many things; versatile.
an all-around player.
-
broadly applicable; not specialized.
an all-around education.
-
inclusive; comprehensive; complete.
an all-around failure.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of all-around
First recorded in 1720–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The combination of an all-around dominant defensive effort, with the Trojans’ usual offensive mastery, offered a glimpse of what USC hopes it can be this season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
Everyone indulged in prodigious scenery-chewing, eschewing any subtlety that Puccini built into this tear-jerking piece in favor of all-around bludgeoning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
With no further competition of his own, Langton was back in the arena on Sunday to support team-mates in the men's all-around final.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
In the end, it was another tenacious, all-around performance from the current World No. 1, who now has five major titles and doesn’t really have a hole in his game, other than fatigue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
Father worked as a handyman or an all-around mechanic when he could, but he would cut firewood or do almost anything so long as it was legal and it paid.
From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
