all-around

adjective

ˌȯl-ə-ˈrau̇nd 

variants or less commonly all-round

ˈȯl-ˈrau̇nd 

1

: considered in or encompassing all aspects : comprehensive

the best all-around performance so far

2

: competent in many fields

an all-around performer

3

: having general utility or merit

an all-around tool

all around adverb

Synonyms

• all-purpose
• catholic
• general
• general-purpose
• unlimited
• unqualified
• unrestricted
• unspecialized

Examples of all-around in a Sentence

an all-around garden rake that adjusts for any raking task, from raking lawns to delicate flower beds

this saw has the top rating for all-around performance, but for small detail work it might not be your best choice

an all-around player, as skilled on the pitcher's mound as he is at the batting plate

Recent Examples on the Web

The podcaster, YouTuber, and all-around internet personality knows how to make a statement with her costumes. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024

The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress was an all-around high achiever, earning our top spot. —Lindsay Boyers, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024

As of 2023, small businesses comprised 99.9% of all U.S. companies and employed 61.7 million Americans, totaling 46.4% of private sector employees, thus demonstrating how decentralized power can feed all-around growth. —Wes Moss, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Nearly three months after helping Team USA win gold in the team final (and grabbing bronze in the uneven bars and in the all-around), the gymnast has made the leap to the Big Apple, and is aiming for new goals outside of the gym. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

all-around

adjective

ˌȯ-lə-ˈrau̇nd

variants also all-round

1

: considered as a whole or including all parts

the best all-around performance so far

2

: good in many fields

an all-around athlete

3

: having general usefulness

all-around tools

all around adverb