To save this word, you'll need to log in.
all-Amer·i·can | \ ˌȯl-ə-ˈmer-ə-kən 
, -ˈme-rə- \
, -ˈme-rə- \Definition of all-American
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a or less commonly all-America \ ˌȯl-ə-ˈmer-ə-kə , -ˈme-rə- \ : selected (as by a poll of journalists) as one of the best in the U.S. in a particular category at a particular time
an all-American quarterback
, -ˈme-rə- \ : selected (as by a poll of journalists) as one of the best in the U.S. in a particular category at a particular time
an all-American quarterbackb : having only all-American participants
an all-American basketball team
2 : composed wholly of American elements
3 : representative or typical of the U.S. or its ideals
an all-American boy her all-American optimism
4 : of or relating to the American nations as a group
all-American
nounDefinition of all-American (Entry 2 of 2)
1 or less commonly all-America : one (such as an athlete) that is voted all-American
2 : one that has all-American qualities or characteristics
a clean-cut all-American
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for all-American
all-American
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of all-American
: having qualities that are thought to be typical of people in the U.S. or that are widely admired in the U.S.
: selected as one of the best in the U.S. in a particular sport
: having only all-American players
See the full definition for all-American in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Comments on all-American
What made you want to look up all-American? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share all-American
Time Traveler for all-American
The first known use of all-American was in 1887
See more words from the same year