variants or less commonly all-round
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Head of Household at the time, poker player and all-around cutthroat gamer Vanessa Rousso chose to blindside her closest ally Austin Matelson by evicting him live on television. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 5 July 2025 Michael Busch did the most damage, going 4-for-4 with three homers and five RBIs, continuing his quiet development into a superb all-around first baseman. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 5 July 2025 His all-around dominance earned him District 6-5A MVP honors and a spot on the 5A THSBCA All-State Team. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2025 Timothy Pearson, Liberty Creek High: The junior was nominated for exceptional all-around school spirit. Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for all-around

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-around was in 1866

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All-around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-around. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on all-around

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!