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 of allover

Adverb

• everywhere
• all over the place
• far and near
• 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

Crafted from rigid denim with an allover floral garden print, the jacket ($150) features a faux leather collar, long sleeves and a full-zip front closure, while the matching jeans ($80) include a classic five-pocket design and an embroidered Met logo on the left leg. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Dec. 2025

Plus, both pieces have allover tonal logo detailing. —Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Noun

To complement her vintage Jean Louis Scherre, Lopez went with allover bronze glam featuring glossy lips, an elegant updo, and matching nails. —Lena Raab, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026

An allover pattern utilizes the full surface area available on short nails. —Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Wearing rubber gloves, use a sponge to spread the mixture all over the bottom of the oven. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026

Moving out of old tracks to fancy new ones all over the country alienated a large portion of its core constituency. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026

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