by all means
Idioms-
Also, by all manner of means . In every possible way, as in I plan to make use of him by all means . [Late 1400s]
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Also, by all manner of means . Without fail, at any cost, as in Losing the contract is to be avoided by all means . [c. 1600]
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Certainly, yes, as in Are you coming tonight?—By all means, I'll be there . [Late 1600s] Also see by any means ; by no means .
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 21-year-old from London, who is on holiday with 10 members of his family, woke up to two text alerts at 4am and 6am ordering him to evacuate "by all means necessary".
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
“The last 10 years don’t happen without Aaron Donald, and if he wants to come help kick off the next 10 years, by all means we’re ready.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
"If they want to initiate extradition proceedings, by all means," he added, calling extradition cases in US courts "a demanding procedure".
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
“If anyone can do something, by all means go for it,” the president told a gathering of students and academics in early December.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 17, 2026
“Oh, very well,” he said; “let her come in, by all means; but just wait a minute till I tidy up the place.”
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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.
