all-out

1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯl-ˈau̇t 

1

: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing

an all-out effort to win the contest

2

: full-blown sense 2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort

—used chiefly in the phrase go all out

Synonyms of all-out

Adjective

• sheer
• utter
• unconditional
• complete
• absolute
• pure
• total
• outright
• simple
• definite
• perfect

Adverb

• full steam ahead
• like crazy
• to the hilt
• in full career
• thoroughly
• completely

Examples of all-out in a Sentence

Adjective

Grandpa got the all-out support of the family when he decided to remarry at age 72

an all-out effort to break open the door

Adverb

went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These are short, all-out bursts of exercise performed at an intensity higher than your maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max). — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Adjust exposure gradually, because market-cycle analysis should not become an all-in or all-out decision. — Thomas Hartmann, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Arsenal had no choice but to go all out after conceding on 77 seconds and seemed better for it. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

After noting that the mourning process includes mourning the future that might have been, Pike lets it all out. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for all-out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

all-out

1 of 2 adjective

ˈȯ-ˈlau̇t

: made with maximum effort : extreme

an all-out attempt to finish on time

all out

2 of 2 adverb

: with maximum effort

went all out to win