alright

adverb or adjective

al·​right (ˌ)ȯl-ˈrīt How to pronounce alright (audio)
ˈȯl-ˌrīt
: all right
If people stay strong and keep pushing we'll be alright.Keith Ellison
Alright, I give in.Sallie Tisdale
Alright already, get in the squad car and solve the darn crime.Ken Tucker
It's cheap, alright.Chris Hodenfield
all right or alright?: Usage Guide

Although the spelling alright is more than a century and a half old, some critics have insisted alright is all wrong. Nevertheless, it has its defenders and its users, who perhaps have been influenced by analogy with altogether and already. Alright is less common than all right but is frequently found in informal writing and fictional dialogue.

Starting at a slower pace is perfectly alright. Alia Haley
"Alright, it is a bargain. I will help you." Harold Bell Wright

It is sometimes also used in more formal writing.

The first two years of the medical school were alright. Gertrude Stein

Examples of alright in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Emma Cannon has performed alright in Smith’s place, but the team’s forward depth is thin without Smith, who can also play center. Zion Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Aug. 2023 Pearly and white, spooky alright, playing with children every night. Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 18 July 2023 For the love of God, just don’t try to rob the place, alright? Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 18 July 2023 Right after Paul popped the question and Agdal accepted, everything seemed alright, until something went very wrong. Averi Kremposky, Peoplemag, 11 July 2023 That position includes making sure everyone on tour is doing alright. Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 July 2023 Matthew McConaughey's relationship with his wife Camila Alves is more than just alright, alright, alright. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2023 There's always a plan, the plan always changes, everything goes completely awry, and hopefully everything always turns out alright in the end. Clark Collis, EW.com, 10 May 2023 That source assured the outlet that Swift is doing alright, though, something Swift herself seemed to echo, too. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 12 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alright.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alright was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near alright

Cite this Entry

“Alright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alright. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

alright

adverb or adjective
al·​right ȯl-ˈrīt How to pronounce alright (audio)
ˈȯl-ˌrīt

More from Merriam-Webster on alright

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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