altogether

American  

[awl-tuh-geth-er, awl-tuh-geth-er] / ˌɔl təˈgɛð ər, ˈɔl təˌgɛð ər /

adverb

1. wholly; entirely; completely; quite.

   altogether fitting.

   Synonyms:

   absolutely, totally, utterly

2. with all or everything included.

   The debt amounted altogether to twenty dollars.

3. with everything considered; on the whole.

   Altogether, I'm glad it's over.

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idioms

1. in the altogether, nude.

   When the phone rang she had just stepped out of the bathtub and was in the altogether.

altogether British  

/ ˌɔːltəˈɡɛðə, ˈɔːltəˌɡɛðə /

adverb

1. with everything included

   altogether he owed me sixty pounds

2. completely; utterly; totally

   he was altogether mad

3. on the whole

   altogether it was a very good party

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noun

1. informal naked

Commonly Confused

The forms altogether and all together, though often indistinguishable in speech, are distinct in meaning. The adverb altogether means “wholly, entirely, completely”: an altogether confused scene. The phrase all together means “in a group”: The children were all together in the kitchen. The word all can be omitted without seriously affecting the meaning: The children were together in the kitchen.

Etymology

Origin of altogether

First recorded in 1125–75; variant of Middle English altogeder; see all, together

Explanation

If you're altogether certain, you know it for a fact. Since you're altogether sure that your calculations are correct, go ahead with the experiment. Please wear your goggles just in case. Never use “all together” (meaning “all in one place”) when you mean altogether (which can also mean "all things considered"). It was risky to bring us all together again after so many years, but you have to admit that altogether we had a good time. Altogether, it could have been worse. It wasn't altogether bad. I suppose we won't do it again next year.

Example Sentences

D’Souza has suggested that a “scientific method” approach to journalism would simply eliminate anonymity altogether, arguing that if a source cannot be named, their information should not count.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

They gathered at the Bolton Lads & Girls Club on Wednesday afternoon to share their opinions on whether social media should be restricted, or even banned altogether, for under-16s in the UK.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

I think altogether I’m getting close to $3,000 or $4,000.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Ownership of more TV stations gives Nexstar increased leverage against traditional power brokers like the national broadcasters—and the ability to save money on network fees by boxing out those brands altogether.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

South of the Potomac was a different matter altogether, since approximately 90 percent of the total black population resided there.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• absolutely
• fully
• perfectly
• quite
• thoroughly
• totally
• utterly
• wholly