all-around
Americanadjective
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able to do many things; versatile.
an all-around player.
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broadly applicable; not specialized.
an all-around education.
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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.
But even grave-robbing isn’t as unpleasant as the dynamics of the Morelli family, led by chief screamer, grouser, mayoral candidate and all-around non-people-person Linda Morelli.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has one of the section’s best all-around players in Oklahoma State commit Aliyah Garcia and starts out as the team to beat in the San Fernando Valley.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026
Davidson had just turned in one of her most impressive all-around performances of the season, pouring in 24 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026
“Arista delivered an all-around strong fourth-quarter finish to 2025, as AI contributions drove robust growth across its cloud titan customers,” wrote William Blair analyst Sebastien Naji in a research note.
From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026
In the end, I won four medals at Worlds—two gold for all-around and floor, silver for vault, and bronze for balance beam.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
