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.
"The first day we came here, I did really well and I got through to the all-around final," said Evans.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
In 2024 she was crowned British junior all-around champion, while earlier this year she won bronze at the British Championships in the senior women's all-around discipline.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 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
In her first senior international competition at 15, she beat Biles for the 2013 American Cup all-around crown — the last time Biles lost an all-around title.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 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.
