allover

1 of 4

adjective

all·​over ˈȯl-ˌō-vər 

: covering the whole extent or surface

a sweater with an allover pattern

allover

2 of 4

noun

1

: an embroidered, printed, or lace fabric with a design covering most of the surface

2

: a pattern or design in which a single unit is repeated so as to cover an entire surface

all over

3 of 4

adverb

1

: over the whole extent

decorated all over with a flower pattern

2

: everywhere

looked all over for the book

3

: in every respect : thoroughly

she is her mother all over

all over

4 of 4

preposition

1

informal : in eagerly affectionate, attentive, or aggressive pursuit of (someone or something)

the band's fans were all over them

2

informal : very critical of (someone) in usually an angry or unreasonable way

the press was all over the coach after the loss

Synonyms

Adverb

• everyplace
• everywhere
• far and wide
• high and low
• throughout

Examples of allover in a Sentence

Adjective

a rug with an allover pattern

Adverb

I've looked all over—even outside—and I can't find my other shoe.

his writing style is his mentor's all over

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But there’s also a growing segment of allover deodorant solutions on the market that offer fresh-feeling skin through toxic-free and clean formulation. —Charlie Carballo, WWD, 11 July 2024

Dip a toe under the sea with the twinkly embellishments on SimonMiller's beachy collection for Mango, or dive all the way in with Marysia's allover shell print. —Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2023

Noun

Or, if there’s time, makeup artist Vincent Oquendo encourages clients to use Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Facial Scrub for an allover flake-free glow before slicking the skin with Georgia Louise’s Vital Finishing Serum for an extra dose of moisture. —Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024

An allover knit pointelle pattern gives it a delicate touch. —Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

Adverb

One of the Kinks’ earliest singles is a smash all over again in the United Kingdom this week. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. —Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024

Preposition

Attorney Ven Johnson, who represents the families of students who were killed in the shooting, criticized the ruling and the law behind it, saying his clients feel victimized all over again. —Bynadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2023

The carbon emissions from that fuel get captured, sent back to Texas, and start the process all over again. —Alan Murray, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1771, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Preposition

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

allover

1 of 3 adjective

all·​over

ˈȯ-ˌlō-vər

: covering the whole surface of something

a sweater with an allover pattern

all over

2 of 3 adverb

: everywhere

all over

3 of 3 preposition

informal

1

: in very affectionate, attentive, or aggressive pursuit of

the band's fans were all over them

2

: in or into a state marked by all-out criticism of

reporters were all over the coach after the loss