all-around

adjective

ˌȯl-ə-ˈrau̇nd 

variants or less commonly all-round

ˈȯl-ˈrau̇nd 

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

Synonyms of all-around

• unlimited
• general
• unrestricted

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

But the uninspired all-around performance sealed a series loss on the final weekend of the season’s first half. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

While there are many different forms of gun cabinet available to match your personal needs, the best all-around gun cabinet is the SnapSafe GlideVault Keypad Gun Safe. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

But Kirk, one of the best all-around catchers in baseball, has been hurt most of the year. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Bubblegum pink cat-eye, white polka dots, and 3D flowers are an all-around coquettish combo, like shooting a stranger a flirty glance over the rim of your drink. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for all-around

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• ultrasound
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound

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