all-out

1 of 2

adjective

1
: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing
an all-out effort to win the contest
2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort
used chiefly in the phrase go all out

Examples of all-out in a Sentence

Adjective Grandpa got the all-out support of the family when he decided to remarry at age 72 an all-out effort to break open the door Adverb went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!
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.
Adjective
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to treat the injured, assist victims' families and investigate the cause of the fire, Xinhua and CCTV reported. Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025 These days, people tend to go all-out for prom—and share all their activities on social media. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 29 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Traditional bar activities like trivia, live music, karaoke and speed dating are on the schedule, but some participants are going all out — hosting black-light parties, hot wing challenges, pop-up markets and more. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025 If legal documents were signed, the kids were all out back on the teeter-totter or something. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for all-out

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-out was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-out. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

all-out

1 of 2 adjective
ˈȯ-ˈlau̇t
: made with maximum effort : extreme
an all-out attempt to finish on time

all out

2 of 2 adverb
: with maximum effort
went all out to win

More from Merriam-Webster on all-out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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