all
/ɔːl/The whole of; every one or everything
All students must attend the assembly.
Every student is required to be at the assembly.
All the books are on the shelf.
Every book is placed on the shelf.
Can be used as a determiner (before a noun) or a pronoun (replacing a noun).
Completely; entirely
I'm all in for this project.
I'm completely committed to this project.
She was all out of patience.
She had no patience left.
Often used in informal expressions.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Determiner vs. Pronoun
Use 'all' before a noun (e.g., 'all people') or as a pronoun (e.g., 'all are invited').
Informal Usage
In informal contexts, 'all' can mean 'completely' (e.g., 'I'm all in').
⚡Gold Rule
Plural Nouns
When 'all' is used as a determiner, the noun it modifies is usually plural (e.g., 'all books').
Singular Nouns
When 'all' refers to a singular concept (e.g., 'all the money'), the noun is singular.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'al', from Old English 'eall', from Proto-Germanic '*allaz', meaning 'whole, entire'. Related to Old Norse 'allr', Old Frisian 'al', and Old Saxon 'al'.
📝Usage Notes
Can function as a determiner (e.g., 'all the students'), a pronoun (e.g., 'all are welcome'), or an adverb (e.g., 'all done'). In informal contexts, it can mean 'completely' (e.g., 'all in').