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all

det. · pron. · adv. · n.
US //ˈɔɫ// UK //ˈɔːl// all
  1. 1 every part or member (det.)
    A1 Beginner

    every person or thing in a group, with no one or nothing left out.

    denoting the entire number or amount of a group or class; functions as a predeterminer before articles or possessives.

    Example

    All the students in the class passed the final exam.

    Example

    All the evidence gathered by the investigators suggests that the fire was started by a faulty electrical circuit in the basement.

    Usage

    Used before plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.
    Pitfall
    All the people was happy.
    All the people were happy.

    When 'all' refers to a plural noun, the verb must also be plural.

  2. 2 the whole period (det.)
    A1 Beginner

    during the whole time of a specific period.

    referring to the entire duration of a stated period, typically used with units of time like day, week, or year.

    Example

    It rained all day, so we stayed inside and watched movies.

    Example

    The team worked all night to ensure the software update was ready for the morning launch.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the time noun without an article, such as 'all day' or 'all night'.
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  1. 3 everything or everyone (pron.)
    A1 Beginner

    everyone in a group or everything that exists in a situation.

    representing the whole number of people or things previously mentioned or understood from context.

    Example

    The cake was delicious, and soon it was all gone.

    Example

    Although many were invited to the gala, all were required to present their credentials at the main entrance.

    Usage

    Can be followed by 'of' before pronouns, like 'all of us'.
  2. 4 the only thing (pron.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the only thing that is important or the only thing someone wants.

    used to specify the sole requirement, action, or object in a given context.

    Example

    All I want for my birthday is a new pair of running shoes.

    Example

    All the manager asked for was a brief summary of the weekly sales figures before the board meeting began.

    Usage

    Often used as the subject of a sentence followed by 'is' or 'was'.
  3. 5 completely (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    completely or totally.

    functioning as an intensifier meaning wholly or entirely.

    Example

    He was all alone in the big house after his roommates left.

    Example

    The children were all excited about the trip, their faces pressed against the bus windows as they departed.

    Usage

    Often used before adjectives or prepositions.
  4. 6 each in a score (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    used in sports to say that both teams or players have the same score.

    denoting an equal score for each side in a game or competition.

    Example

    At halftime, the score was two-all.

    Example

    The match concluded at three-all, forcing the teams into a penalty shootout to determine the winner of the trophy.

    Usage

    Placed after the number of the score.
  5. 7 one's best effort (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    everything you are able to do; your greatest effort.

    the totality of one's strength, resources, or abilities applied to a task.

    Example

    She gave her all during the race and finished in first place.

    Example

    The athletes were exhausted after the marathon, having given their all on the challenging uphill course.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'to give one's all'.
Origin

From Middle English all, from Old English eall, from Proto-West Germanic all, from Proto-Germanic allaz, of uncertain origin but perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (“all”). Cognates Cognate with Scots a, a', aa, aal, aw (“all”), Yola aal, al, all, aul (“all”), North Frisian aal, aale, ale, ali, åle (“all”), Saterland Frisian al (“already”), aal (“all”), West Frisian alle (“all”), Dutch al (“all”), German and Luxembourgish all (“all”), Vilamovian oły, ołły (“all”), Yiddish אַלע (ale, “all”), Danish al (“all”), Faroese and Icelandic allur (“all”), Norwegian Bokmål and Swedish all (“all”), Norwegian Nynorsk aillj, all (“all”), Gothic 𐌰𐌻𐌻𐍃 (alls, “all”); also Breton and Welsh holl (“all”), Cornish oll (“all”), Irish alig, eile, uile, uileag, uilig (“all”), Manx ooilley (“all”), Scottish Gaelic uile, uileag (“all”), Lithuanian aliái (“every”), Armenian ողջ (oġǰ, “entire, whole”). The dialectal sense “all gone” is a calque of German alle. The use in [Term?] (“who all, where all”) etc. also has equivalents in German (see alles).

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