all-around

USAGE SUMMARY

"all-around" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe a person or thing as having many skills or abilities in a variety of areas. For example: "She's an all-around great employee, excelling in both customer service and product knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

All-around greatness?

The New York Times

An all-around reliable weapon.

WikiHow

The All-Around Cheerful Girl.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

all around.

The New York Times

"Rattlesnakes all around.

The New Yorker

Progress all around!

The New York Times

Rough weekend all around.

The New York Times - Sports

Greetings all around.

The New York Times

Triumphs all around.

The New Yorker

It's all around us.

The New York Times - Books

Comfort all around.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all-around" to describe skills or qualities that are broadly applicable and effective in various situations. For example, describe someone as an "all-around player" on a sports team, or an "all-around solution" to a problem.

Common error

Avoid using "all-around" when describing someone excelling in a specific field. Instead, opt for specific adjectives like "expert", "proficient", or "specialized" to accurately reflect their skills.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "all-around" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate comprehensive abilities or qualities. Ludwig examples show it describing reliability, greatness, and cheerfulness. It can also function as an adverb, modifying verbs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all-around" functions primarily as an adjective, indicating comprehensive abilities or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly used in news and media, but less frequently in formal business or academic contexts. When writing, use "all-around" to describe versatility and broad competence, but avoid overusing it in specialized contexts where more precise adjectives would be appropriate. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various situations, from describing reliable weapons to cheerful personalities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-rounded

Emphasizes balance and completeness in skills or aspects.

versatile

Highlights the ability to adapt and perform in various situations.

comprehensive

Focuses on covering all aspects or elements of a subject.

multi-talented

Specifically refers to having multiple talents or abilities.

jack-of-all-trades

Indicates proficiency in many different skills, though perhaps not mastery in any.

general-purpose

Suitable for a wide range of uses or applications.

complete

Stresses the entirety and lack of missing elements.

thorough

Highlights attention to detail and covering all necessary points.

all-inclusive

Covers everything without exception.

omnibus

Denotes something that includes many different items.

FAQs

How can I use "all-around" in a sentence?

You can use "all-around" to describe someone or something that is versatile or comprehensive. For example, "She is an all-around athlete" or "This is an all-around useful tool".

What can I say instead of "all-around"?

You can use alternatives like "well-rounded", "versatile", or "comprehensive" depending on the context.

Is "all-around" the same as "all-round"?

"All-around" and "all-round" are often used interchangeably, with "all-around" being more common in American English and "all-round" in British English. They both mean versatile or comprehensive.

Can "all-around" be used as an adverb?

Yes, "all-around" can be used as an adverb, meaning generally or broadly. For example, "He's an all-around better player than me".