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

These efforts reduce fraud and allow legitimate transactions and accounts to move forward without friction—reducing losses while building a better all-around customer experience. —Damon Fleury, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 headphones provide an all-around music experience with rich lows and bright highs while those soft cushions make for pain-free long listening sessions. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 17 Oct. 2024

By the time The Death Cure, the third entry in the franchise came around, O'Brien had transcended from TV heartthrob to all-around leading man. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024

Nearby, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer turned felon and now all-around barnacle, lingered on the red carpet, there to give interviews for no other reason than to jab Trump some more. —Michael Appler, Variety, 9 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