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

Known as an all-around player with great speed and instincts, the 6-foot-4 point guard was selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, which was promptly relocated to Oklahoma City as the Thunder before Westbrook's rookie year began. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

The 18-year-old rallied from fourth place and a seven-tenths deficit to secure the victory on Sunday, joining an elite group of athletes like Simone Biles with back-to-back all-around wins. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Below, a guide to what is, in my view, the best all-around island in the Cyclades. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

The teenager who announced himself by earning a surprise bronze in the all-around at the 2023 world championships is evolving. — Will Graves, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 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