in the altogether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the altogether" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to being completely naked or without any clothing. Example: "He walked into the room in the altogether, surprising everyone present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

There's something similarly at work in the altogether less substantial "Outside In".

The New Yorker

In another scene, her body (head cropped out) appears outdoors in the altogether, attended by a blur of a dog.

The New York Times

Caplan spends significant screentime in the altogether, though, predictably, we never see the sheen of Michael's balls.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On pay-per-view channels, it would be possible to view athletes in the altogether right through their Nudo suits.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, then, how about a man, if they were to see me walking around in the altogether?

The New Yorker

(They give their final two performances in the Altogether Different series today at the Joyce Theater in Manhattan).

The New York Times - Arts

At first it sounds like the old joke about the young woman who attends a costume ball in the altogether and announces that she's Chile.

The New York Times - Style

The three works this dance company presented on Wednesday night in the Altogether Different series at the Joyce Theater could have benefited from trimming.

The New York Times - Arts

Working from soft-core magazines, Picabia painted a whole series of buxom blondes in the altogether, sometimes with men, in one case chilling in bed with a bulldog.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In dance, the Altogether Different Festival arrives on Thursday at the Joyce Theater with premieres, debuts and return engagements.

The New York Times - Arts

The biggest surprise is the removal of the check-in altogether, as the new app will focus on discovery and exploration.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the altogether" to add a touch of informality or humor when describing nudity, particularly in narrative or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in the altogether" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more neutral term like "nude" or "unclothed" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the altogether" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, typically describing a person or group of people. It indicates a state of being completely naked, as Ludwig examples confirm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the altogether" is an adjective phrase used to describe a state of complete nudity. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid it in highly formal settings, opting for more neutral alternatives like "nude" or "unclothed". Similar phrases include "stark naked" and "in the buff", each with slight variations in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stark naked

Emphasizes the complete absence of clothing; slightly more emphatic.

in the buff

A common idiom for being naked.

in the nude

A more formal or polite way to describe being naked.

naked as a jaybird

An folksy idiom for being naked.

bare-assed

A more crude idiom for being naked.

in one's birthday suit

A playful expression for being naked.

without a stitch on

Focuses on the absence of any clothing.

au naturel

A borrowed French expression meaning naked or in a natural state.

completely unclothed

A literal and straightforward description of being naked.

wearing nothing

Simply describes the lack of clothing.

FAQs

What does "in the altogether" mean?

The phrase "in the altogether" means being completely naked, or without any clothes on.

What can I say instead of "in the altogether"?

You can use alternatives like "stark naked", "in the buff", or "in the nude", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in the altogether" in formal writing?

No, "in the altogether" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral terms like "nude" or "unclothed".

What is the origin of the phrase "in the altogether"?

The origin is uncertain, but it likely stems from the idea of being completely 'all together' in one's natural state, without anything extra (like clothes).