allover

1 of 4

adjective

all·​over ˈȯl-ˌō-vər 

: covering the whole extent or surface

a sweater with an allover pattern

allover

2 of 4

noun

1

: an embroidered, printed, or lace fabric with a design covering most of the surface

2

: a pattern or design in which a single unit is repeated so as to cover an entire surface

all over

3 of 4

adverb

1

: over the whole extent

decorated all over with a flower pattern

2

: everywhere

looked all over for the book

3

: in every respect : thoroughly

she is her mother all over

all over

4 of 4

preposition

1

informal : in eagerly affectionate, attentive, or aggressive pursuit of (someone or something)

the band's fans were all over them

2

informal : very critical of (someone) in usually an angry or unreasonable way

the press was all over the coach after the loss

Synonyms

Adverb

• everywhere
• all over the place
• far and near
• all over the map
• in every quarter
• in every corner
• on all hands

Examples of allover in a Sentence

Adjective

a rug with an allover pattern

Adverb

I've looked all over—even outside—and I can't find my other shoe.

his writing style is his mentor's all over

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But there’s also a growing segment of allover deodorant solutions on the market that offer fresh-feeling skin through toxic-free and clean formulation. —Charlie Carballo, WWD, 11 July 2024

Dip a toe under the sea with the twinkly embellishments on SimonMiller's beachy collection for Mango, or dive all the way in with Marysia's allover shell print. —Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2023

Noun

This bra has wide straps, side-smoothing panels, and an allover stretchy fit — sans wires poking you in the ribcage. —Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 2 July 2025

Esparza The ‘Pageboy Bob’ Is Trending for Girls Who Like Soft Layers By Fiona Embleton If your sunburn is less of an allover situation and more of a spot-treatment job, dab concealer onto only the reddest parts of your face. —Amber Rambharose, Glamour, 12 June 2025

Adverb

Tempest’s description evokes a dreamlike horror, laced with black humor: Men were still stuck in the mud all over the battlefield, imploring help to lift them out : half crazy with the sense of their own impotence, and the enemy shelling. . . . —Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025

And similar formations are found all over the British Isles. —The Know, Denver Post, 13 July 2025

Preposition

Attorney Ven Johnson, who represents the families of students who were killed in the shooting, criticized the ruling and the law behind it, saying his clients feel victimized all over again. —Bynadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2023

The carbon emissions from that fuel get captured, sent back to Texas, and start the process all over again. —Alan Murray, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1771, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Preposition

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for allover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover

Kids Definition

allover

1 of 3 adjective

all·​over

ˈȯ-ˌlō-vər

: covering the whole surface of something

a sweater with an allover pattern

all over

2 of 3 adverb

: everywhere

all over

3 of 3 preposition

informal

1

: in very affectionate, attentive, or aggressive pursuit of

the band's fans were all over them

2

: in or into a state marked by all-out criticism of

reporters were all over the coach after the loss