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using all one’s resources; complete; total:
an all-out effort.
the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration):
all the cake; all the way; all year.
the whole number of (used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively):
all students.
the greatest possible (used in referring to quality or degree):
with all due respect; with all speed.
every:
all kinds; all sorts.
any; any whatever:
beyond all doubt.
nothing but; only:
The coat is all wool.
dominated by or as if by the conspicuous possession or use of a particular feature:
The colt was all legs. They were all ears, listening attentively to everything she said.
Chiefly Pennsylvania German. all gone; consumed; finished:
The pie is all.
the whole quantity or amount:
He ate all of the peanuts. All are gone.
the whole number; every one:
all of us.
everything:
Is that all you want to say? All is lost.
one’s whole interest, energy, or property:
to give one’s all; to lose one’s all.
(often initial capital letter) the entire universe.
wholly; entirely; completely:
all alone.
only; exclusively:
He spent his income all on pleasure.
each; apiece:
The score was one all.
Archaic. even; just.
above all, before everything else; chiefly:
Above all, the little girl wanted a piano.
after all, in spite of the circumstances; notwithstanding:
He came in time after all.
all at once. (def 14).
all but, almost; very nearly:
These batteries are all but dead.
all in, Northern and Western U.S. very tired; exhausted:
We were all in at the end of the day.
all in all,

everything considered; in general:
All in all, her health is greatly improved.
altogether:
There were twelve absentees all in all.
everything; everything regarded as important:
Painting became his all in all.

all in hand, Printing, Journalism. (of the copy for typesetting a particular article, book, issue, etc.) in the possession of the compositor.
all in the wind, Nautical. too close to the wind.
all out, with all available means or effort:
We went all out to win the war.
all over,

finished; done; ended.
everywhere; in every part.
in every respect; typically.

all standing, Nautical.

in such a way and so suddenly that sails or engines are still set to propel a vessel forward:
The ship ran aground all standing.
fully clothed:
The crew turned in all standing.
fully equipped, as a vessel.

all that, remarkably; entirely; decidedly (used in negative constructions):
It’s not all that different from your other house.
all the better, more advantageous; so much the better:
If the sun shines it will be all the better for our trip.
all there, Informal. mentally competent; not insane or feeble-minded:
Some of his farfetched ideas made us suspect that he wasn’t all there.
all the same. (def 9).
all told. (def 2).
all up,

Printing, Journalism. (of copy) completely set in type.
Informal. with no vestige of hope remaining:
It’s all up with George—they’ve caught him.

and all, together with every other associated or connected attribute, object, or circumstance:
What with the snow and all, we may be a little late.
at all,

in the slightest degree:
I wasn’t surprised at all.
for any reason:
Why bother at all?
in any way:
no offense at all.

for all (that), in spite of; notwithstanding:
For all that, it was a good year.
in all, all included; all together:
a hundred guests in all.
once and for all, for the last time; finally:
The case was settled once and for all when the appeal was denied.
away from, or not in, the normal or usual place, position, state, etc.:
out of alphabetical order; to go out to dinner.
away from one’s home, country, work, etc., as specified:
to go out of town.
in or into the outdoors:
to go out for a walk.
to a state of exhaustion, extinction, or depletion:
to pump a well out.
to the end or conclusion; to a final decision or resolution:
to say it all out.
to a point or state of extinction, nonexistence, etc.:
to blow out the candle; a practice on the way out.
in or into a state of neglect, disuse, etc.; not in current vogue or fashion:
That style has gone out.
so as not to be in the normal or proper position or state; out of joint:
His back went out after his fall.
in or into public notice or knowledge:
The truth is out at last.
seeking openly and energetically to do or have:
to be out for a good time.
not in present possession or use, as on loan:
The librarian said that the book was still out.
on strike:
The miners go out at midnight.
so as to project or extend:
to stretch out; stick your tongue out.
in or into activity, existence, or outward manifestation:
A rash came out on her arm.
from a specified source or material:
made out of scraps.
from a state of composure, satisfaction, or harmony:
to be put out over trifles.
in or into a state of confusion, vexation, dispute, variance, or unfriendliness:
to fall out about trifles.
so as to deprive or be deprived:
to be cheated out of one’s money.
so as to use the last part of:
to run out of gas.
from a number, stock, or store:
to point out the errors.
aloud or loudly:
to cry out.
with completeness or effectiveness:
to fill out.
thoroughly; completely; entirely:
The children tired me out.
so as to obliterate or make undecipherable:
to cross out a misspelling; to ink out.
not at one’s home or place of employment; absent:
I stopped by to visit you last night, but you were out.
not open to consideration; out of the question:
I wanted to go by plane, but all the flights are booked, so that’s out.
wanting; lacking; without:
We had some but now we’re out.
removed from or not in effective operation, play, a turn at bat, or the like, as in a game:
He’s out for the season because of an injury.
no longer having or holding a job, public office, etc.; unemployed; disengaged (usually followed by of):
to be out of work.
inoperative; extinguished:
The elevator is out. Are the lights out?
finished; ended:
before the week is out.
not currently stylish, fashionable, or in vogue:
Fitted waistlines are out this season.
unconscious; senseless:
Two drinks and he’s usually out.
not in power, authority, or the like:
a member of the out party.
Baseball.

(of a batter) not succeeding in getting on base:
He was out at first on an attempted bunt.
(of a base runner) not successful in an attempt to advance a base or bases:
He was out in attempting to steal second base.

beyond fixed or regular limits; out of bounds:
The ball was out.
having a pecuniary loss or expense to an indicated extent:
The company will be out millions of dollars if the new factory doesn’t open on schedule.
incorrect or inaccurate:
His calculations are out.
not in practice; unskillful from lack of practice:
Your bow hand is out.
beyond the usual range, size, weight, etc. (often used in combination):
an outsize bed.
exposed; made bare, as by holes in one’s clothing:
out at the knees.
at variance; at odds; unfriendly:
They are out with each other.
moving or directed outward; outgoing:
the out train.
not available, plentiful, etc.:
Mums are out till next fall.
external; exterior; outer.
located at a distance; outlying:
We sailed to six of the out islands.
Cricket. not having its innings:
the out side.
of or relating to the playing of the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course (opposed to ):
His out score on the second round was 33.
(used to indicate movement or direction from the inside to the outside of something):
He looked out the window. She ran out the door.
(used to indicate location):
The car is parked out back.
(used to indicate movement away from a central point):
Let’s drive out the old parkway.
begone! away!
(used in radio communications to signify that the sender has finished the message and is not expecting or prepared to receive a reply.)
Compare (def 52).
Archaic. (an exclamation of abhorrence, indignation, reproach, or grief (usually followed by upon):
Out upon you!
a means of escape or excuse, as from a place, punishment, retribution, responsibility, etc.:
He always left himself an out.
a person who lacks status, power, or authority, especially in relation to a particular group or situation.
Usually, outs. persons not in office or political power (distinguished from ).
Baseball. a put-out.
(in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) a return or service that does not land within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court (opposed to ).
something that is out, as a projecting corner.
Printing.

the omission of a word or words.
the word or words omitted.

Northern British Dialect. an outing.
to go or come out.
to become public, evident, known, etc.:
The truth will out.
to make known; tell; utter (followed by with):
Out with the truth!
to eject or expel; discharge; oust.
to intentionally expose (a secret homosexual, a spy, etc.).
all out, with maximum effort; thoroughly or wholeheartedly:
They went all out to finish by Friday.
be on the / at outs with, Informal. to be estranged from (another person); be unfriendly or on bad terms with:
He is on the outs with his brother.
out and away, to a surpassing extent; far and away; by far:
It was out and away the best apple pie she had ever eaten.
out for, aggressively determined to acquire, achieve, etc.:
He’s out for all the money he can get.
out from under, out of a difficult situation, especially of debts or other obligations:
The work piled up while I was away and I don’t know how I’ll ever get out from under.
out of,

not within:
out of the house.
beyond the reach of:
The boat’s passengers had sailed out of hearing.
not in a condition of:
out of danger.
so as to deprive or be deprived of.
from within or among:
Take the jokers out of the pack.
because of; owing to:
out of loyalty.
foaled by (a dam):
Grey Dancer out of Lady Grey.

out of it, Informal.

not part of or acceptable within an activity, social group, or fashion:
She felt out of it because none of her friends were at the party.
not conscious; drunk or heavily drugged.
not alert or clearheaded; confused; muddled.
eliminated from contention:
If our team loses two more games, we’ll be out of it.

out of sight. (def 25).
out of trim, Nautical. (of a ship) drawing excessively at the bow or stern.
determiner

the whole quantity or amount of; totality of; every one of a class: all the rice, all men are mortal
(as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): all of it is nice, all are welcome
(in combination with a noun used as a modifier): an all-ticket match, an all-amateur tournament, an all-night sitting

the greatest possible: in all earnestness
any whatever: to lose all hope of recovery, beyond all doubt
above all, most of all; especially
after all, See after (sense 11)
all along, all the time
all but, almost; nearly: all but dead
all of, no less or smaller than: she’s all of thirteen years
all over

finished; at an end: the affair is all over between us
over the whole area (of something); everywhere (in, on, etc): all over England
typically; representatively (in the phrase that’s me (you, him, us, them,etc) all over) Also (Irish) all out
unduly effusive towards
(sport) in a dominant position over

See all in
all in all

everything considered: all in all, it was a great success
the object of one’s attention or interest: you are my all in all

(usually used with a negative) (informal) all that, that, (intensifier): she’s not all that intelligent
(foll by a comparative adjective or adverb) all the, so much (more or less) than otherwise: we must work all the faster now
all too, definitely but regrettably: it’s all too true
and all

(Brit, informal) as well; too: and you can take that smile off your face and all
(South African) a parenthetical filler phrase used at the end of a statement to make a sl ight pause in speaking

(informal) and all that

and similar or associated things; et cetera: coffee, tea, and all that will be served in the garden
used as a filler or to make what precedes more vague: in this sense, it often occurs with concessive force: she was sweet and pretty and all that, but I still didn’t like her
See that (sense 4)

as all that, as one might expect or hope: she’s not as pretty as all that, but she has personality
at all

(used with a negative or in a question) in any way whatsoever or to any extent or degree: I didn’t know that at all
even so; anyway: I’m surprised you came at all

(informal) be all for, to be strongly in favour of
(informal, mainly US) be all that, to be exceptionally good, talented, or attractive
for all

in so far as; to the extent that: for all anyone knows, he was a baron
notwithstanding: for all my pushing, I still couldn’t move it

for all that, in spite of that: he was a nice man for all that
in all, altogether: there were five of them in all
adverb
(in scores of games) apiece; each: the score at half time was three all
completely: all alone
(informal) be all …, used for emphasis when introducing direct speech or nonverbal communication: he was all, ‘I’m not doing that’
noun
preceded by my, your, his, etc. (one’s) complete effort or interest: to give your all, you are my all
totality or whole
adjective
using one’s maximum powers: an all-out effort
adverb
to one’s maximum effort or capacity: he went all out on the home stretch
adverb
(often used as a particle) at or to a point beyond the limits of some location; outside: get out at once
(particle) out of consciousness: she passed out at the sight of blood
(particle) used to indicate a burst of activity as indicated by the verb: fever broke out
(particle) used to indicate obliteration of an object: the graffiti were painted out
(particle) used to indicate an approximate drawing or description: sketch out, chalk out
public; revealed: the secret is out
(often used as a particle) away from one’s custody or ownership, esp on hire: to let out a cottage
on sale or on view to the public: the book is being brought out next May
(of a young woman) in or into polite society: Lucinda had a fabulous party when she came out
(of the sun, stars, etc) visible
(of a jury) withdrawn to consider a verdict in private
(particle) used to indicate exhaustion or extinction: the sugar’s run out, put the light out
(particle) used to indicate a goal or object achieved at the end of the action specified by the verb: he worked it out, let’s fight it out, then!
(preceded by a superlative) existing: the friendliest dog out
an expression in signalling, radio, etc, to indicate the end of a transmission
(Austral & NZ, archaic) in or to Australia or New Zealand: he came out last year
out of

at or to a point outside: out of his reach
away from; not in: stepping out of line, out of focus
because of, motivated by: doing it out of jealousy
from (a material or source): made out of plastic
not or no longer having any of (a substance, material, etc): we’re out of sugar

adjective (postpositive)
not or not any longer worth considering: that plan is out because of the weather
not allowed: smoking on duty is out
(also prenominal) not in vogue; unfashionable: that sort of dress is out these days
(of a fire or light) no longer burning or providing illumination: the fire is out
not working: the radio’s out
unconscious: he was out for two minutes
(Austral & NZ, informal) out to it, asleep or unconscious, esp because drunk
not in; not at home: call back later, they’re out now
desirous of or intent on (something or doing something): I’m out for as much money as I can get
Also out on strike. on strike: the machine shop is out
(in several games and sports) denoting the state in which a player is caused to discontinue active participation, esp in some specified role
used up; exhausted: our supplies are completely out
worn into holes: this sweater is out at the elbows
inaccurate, deficient, or discrepant: out by six pence
not in office or authority: his party will be out at the election
completed or concluded, as of time: before the year is out
in flower: the roses are out now
in arms, esp, in rebellion: one of his ancestors was out in the Forty-Five
(also prenominal) being out: the out position on the dial
(informal) not concealing one’s homosexuality
preposition
out of; out through: he ran out the door
(archaic or dialect) outside; beyond: he comes from out our domain
interjection

an exclamation, usually peremptory, of dismissal, reproach, etc
(in wireless telegraphy) an expression used to signal that the speaker is signing off

out with it, a command to make something known immediately, without missing any details
noun
(mainly US) a method of escape from a place, difficult situation, punishment, etc
(baseball) an instance of the putting out of a batter; putout
(printing)

the omission of words from a printed text; lacuna
the words so omitted

ins and outs, See in1 (sense 30)
verb
(transitive) to put or throw out
(intransitive) to be made known or effective despite efforts to the contrary (esp in the phrase will out): the truth will out
(transitive) (informal) (of homosexuals) to expose (a public figure) as being a fellow homosexual
(transitive) (informal) to expose something secret, embarrassing, or unknown about (a person): he was eventually outed as a talented goal scorer

Old English eall “all, every, entire,” from Proto-Germanic *alnaz (cf. Old Frisian, Old High German al, Old Norse allr, Gothic alls), with no certain connection outside Germanic.

Combinations with all meaning “wholly, without limit” were common in Old English (e.g. eall-halig “all-holy,” eall-mihtig “all-mighty”) and the method continued to form new compound words throughout the history of English. First record of all out “to one’s full powers” is 1880. All-terrain vehicle first recorded 1968. All clear as a signal of “no danger” is recorded from 1902. All right, indicative of approval, is attested from 1953.
adv.

Old English ut “out, without, outside,” common Germanic (cf. Old Norse, Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Gothic ut, Middle Dutch uut, Dutch uit, Old High German uz, German aus), from PIE root *ud- “up, out, up away” (cf. Sanskrit ut “up, out,” uttarah “higher, upper, later, northern;” Avestan uz- “up, out,” Old Irish ud- “out,” Latin usque “all the way to, without interruption,” Greek hysteros “the latter,” Russian vy- “out”). Meaning “into public notice” is from 1540s. As an adjective from c.1200. Meaning “unconscious” is attested from 1898, originally in boxing. Sense of “not popular or modern” is from 1966. As a preposition from mid-13c.

Sense in baseball (1860) was earlier in cricket (1746). Adverbial phrase out-and-out “thoroughly” is attested from early 14c.; adjective usage is attested from 1813; out-of-the-way (adj.) “remote, secluded” is attested from late 15c. Out-of-towner “one not from a certain place” is from 1911. Shakespeare’s It out-herods Herod (“Hamlet”) reflects Herod as stock braggart and bully in old religious drama and was widely imitated 19c. Out to lunch “insane” is student slang from 1955; out of this world “excellent” is from 1938; out of sight “excellent, superior” is from 1891.
v.

Old English utian “expel, put out” (see out (adv.)); used in many senses over the years. Meaning “to expose as a closet homosexual” is first recorded 1990 (as an adjective meaning “openly avowing one’s homosexuality” it dates from 1970s; see closet); sense of “disclose to public view, reveal, make known” has been present since mid-14c.

Eufrosyne preyde Þat god schulde not outen hire to nowiht. [Legendary of St. Euphrosyne, c.1350]

Related: Outed; outing.

n.

1620s, “a being out” (of something), from out (adv.). From 1860 in baseball sense; from 1919 as “means of escape; alibi.”

adjective

Attractive; au courant; hip, way out: Man, that Modigliani is really out (1942+ Beat & cool talk)
Not modern, popular, or in accord with current taste: Those neckties are out this year (1966+)
Openly avowing homosexuality; out of the closet (1970s+ Homosexuals)
also out cold) Unconscious or intoxicated: The folks who use it are usually too luded out or preoccupied (1936+)
Rejected; not to be considered •Said to be fr the editing or cutting room in a movie studio: Ask him again? No, that’s out (1923+)

adverb

To the point of surfeit or exhaustion: I’m coffeed out for the time being/ I don’t want them to think I’m losered out (1990s+)

noun

A way of escape; a plausible alibi or evasive course; let out: You have an out, though. You can talk (1919+)

verb

: Some gay activists have undertaken a campaign of outing, exposing well-known people who are believed to be gay (late 1980s+)

Related Terms

all get out, far out, get out, way out

adjective

Holding nothing back; sparing nothing: an all-out effort

adverb

: He ran all-out for ten minutes
acute lymphocytic leukemia
Albania-lek (currency)
With all one’s strength, ability, or resources; not holding back. For example, They are going all out to make the fund-raiser a success . This seemingly modern term dates from about 1300, when it meant “completely” or “wholly.” It now refers to making a great effort and is also used adjectivally, as in an all-out effort . This usage became current in America in the late 1800s, with reference to races and other kinds of athletic exertion. In the mid-1900s it gave rise to the phrase to go all out and was transferred to just about any energetic undertaking. Also see go whole hog

all along
all along the line
all and sundry
all at once
all at sea
all better
all but
all cylinders
all ears
all else being equal
all eyes
all for
all for the best
all gone
all hours
all in a day’s work
all in all
all in good time
all in one piece
all in, be
all joking aside
all kinds of
all of
all of a sudden
all of the above
all one
all out
all outdoors, big as
all over
all over but the shouting
all over one
all over the place
all over with
all present and accounted for
all right
all right for you
all right with one
all roads lead to Rome
all set
all sewed up
all shook up
all sorts
all systems go
all talk (and no action)
all that
all that glitters is not gold
all the
all the best
all the better
all the rage
all the same
all the thing
all the time
all the way
all the worse
all there
all things to all people, be
all thumbs
all to the good
all told
all up
all very well
all well and good
all wet
all wool and a yard wide
all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy)
all year round

also see:

above all
after all
against all odds
as all getout
at all
at all costs
be-all and end-all
beat all
by all accounts
by all means
by all odds
cap it all
fall all over
firing on all cylinders
first of all
for all
for all I care
for all I know
for all one’s worth
for all that
get away (from it all)
get one’s act (it all) together
go all the way
have all one’s buttons
have it all over someone
have it both ways (all)
hit on all cylinders
hold all the aces
in a (all of a) dither
in all
in all good conscience
in all one’s born days
in all probability
(all) in the same boat
it’s all downhill from here
it’s all over with
it takes all sorts
jump all over
know all the answers
know-it-all
laugh all the way to the bank
least of all
let it all hang out
not all it’s cracked up to be
not at all
not for all the tea in china
no time at all
of all the nerve
of all things
once and for all
one and all
pull out all the stops
put all one’s eggs in one basket
seen one, seen them all
till all hours
to all intents and purposes
(all) to the good
turn out all right
walk all over
warts and all
when all’s said and done
with all due respect
with all one’s heart
you can’t win them all

out and about
out and away
out at the elbows
out back
out cold
out for the count
out for, be
out from under
out front
out in left field
out in the cold
out in the open
out like a light
out loud
out of a clear blue sky
out of bounds
out of breath
out of business
out of character
out of circulation
out of commission
out of condition
out of control
out of date
out of fashion
out of favor
out of gas
out of hand
out of harm’s way
out of humor
out of it
out of joint
out of keeping
out of key
out of kilter
out of line
out of luck
out of nowhere
out of one’s
out of one’s depth
out of one’s element
out of one’s hair
out of one’s mind
out of one’s shell
out of one’s system
out of one’s way
out of order
out of phase
out of place
out of pocket
out of practice
out of print
out of proportion
out of reach
out of season
out of shape
out of sight
out of sorts
out of square
out of step
out of stock
out of the blue
out of the corner of one’s eye
out of the frying pan into the fire
out of the hole
out of the loop
out of the mouths of babes
out of the ordinary
out of the picture
out of the question
out of the rain
out of the running
out of the way
out of the window
out of the woods
out of the woodwork
out of thin air
out of this world
out of touch
out of town
out of turn
out of wedlock
out of whack
out of whole cloth
out of work
out of, be
out on a limb
out on bail
out on one’s ear
out on the town
out to lunch
out with it

also see:

ace out
act out
all out
ask out
back out
bail out
bang out
bawl out
bear out
beat one’s brains out
beat out
belt out
bent out of shape
black out
bliss out
blot out
blow one’s brains out
blow out
blurt out
bottom out
bow out
branch out
brave out
break out
break out of
bring out
bug out
bum out
burn out
burst into (out)
buy out
call out
camp out
cancel out
card in (out)
carry out
cast out
check out
chew out
chicken out
chill out
churn out
clean out
clear out
clock in (out)
close out
come out
come out ahead
come out in the wash
come out of
come out with
conk out
cool off (out)
cop out
count out
crank out
crap out
crop out
cry (out) for
cut it out
cut out
day after day (day in, day out)
deal out
deck out
die out
dig out
dine out on
dish out
do out of
dope out
down and out
drag on (out)
draw out
drop out
drown out
drum out
dry out
duck out
ease out
eat someone out of house and home
eat one’s heart out
eat out
eat out of one’s hand
edge out
eke out
fade out
fall out
farm out
far out
feel out
ferret out
fight it out
figure out
fill out
find out
fish out
fish out of water
fit out
fizzle out
flake out
flat out
flesh out
flip one’s lid (out)
flunk out
follow out
for crying out loud
fork over (out)
freak out
freeze out
fresh out of
get out
get out of
get the lead out
give out
go out
go out of one’s way
gross out
grow out of
gut it out
hammer out
hand out
hang out
hang out one’s shingle
hang out to dry
hash over (out)
have an out
have it out
have one’s work cut out
head out
hear out
heart goes out to
help out
hide out
hire out
hit out
hold out
in (out of) favor
in one ear and out the other
in (out of) one’s element
in (out of) one’s hair
in (out of) print
in (out of) reach
ins and outs
inside out
into (out of) thin air
in (out of) tune
iron out
jury is still out
keep an eye out
kick out
knock out
knock the bottom out
lash out
lay out
leave out
let out
let the cat out of the bag
light out
like a bat out of hell
live out
lock out
log in (out)
look out
look out for
lose out
luck out
make a mountain out of a molehill
make capital out of
make out
max out
mellow out
miss out on
murder will out
muster in (out)
nose out
nose out of joint
odd man out
on the outs
on the way out
opt out
pan out
parcel out
pass out
pay out
peter out
phase in (out)
pick out
pig it (out)
played out
play out
point out
poop out
pound out
pour out
price out of the market
print out
prove out
psych out
pull out
pull out all the stops
pull out of a hat
pull the rug out
punch in (out)
put one out
put oneself out
put out
put out feelers
put someone out of his or her misery
put out to grass
puzzle out
rack out
rain out
read out of
ride out
right out
right-side out
roll out
root out
round off (out)
rough out
rub out
rule out
run out of
run out on
sack in (out)
scare out of one’s wits
screw someone out of
see out
sell out
set out
settle (wipe out) old scores
shell out
ship out
shut out
sign out
sing out
single out
sit out
skip out
sleep out
slip out
smoke out
snap out of it
sniff out
snuff out
sound out
space out
spell out
spin out
stake out
stamp out
stand out
start out
step out
stick one’s neck out
stick out
straighten out
stress out
strike out
string out
strung out
swear out
sweat out
take a leaf out of someone’s book
take it out on
take out
take the wind out of someone’s sails
talked out
talk out
talk out of
tease out
tell tales (out of school)
think out
thrash out
throw out
time out
tired out
top out
trick out
trot out
truth will out
try out
tuckered out
tune out
turn out
wait out
walk out
want in (out)
washed out
wash out
wear out
weasel out
weave in and out
weed out
well out of
whacked out
wig out
win out
wipe out
work out
worm out of
write out
year in, year out
zap out