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Synonyms

all-around

American  
[awl-uh-round] / ˈɔl əˌraʊnd /
Also all-round

adjective

  1. able to do many things; versatile.

    an all-around player.

  2. broadly applicable; not specialized.

    an all-around education.

  3. inclusive; comprehensive; complete.

    an all-around failure.
all-around British  

adjective

  1. (prenominal) the US equivalent of all-round

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of all-around

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A former Tennessee star, Lawson brings Summitt’s brand crackling intensity to Duke, a mindset that she’s said calls for supreme confidence, chasing excellence and holding oneself to an all-around standard of success.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

She’s competed in the all-around twice, earning a season high of 39.325 against Stanford in March.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

This does not portend an all-around divestment from America.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Ultimately, it’s an admission from Nvidia that its GPUs aren’t the AI all-around champion that can do everything better than the competition.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Not once since my first Worlds win in 2013 had any competitor’s name been above mine in an all-around meet.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.