all-out

1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯl-ˈau̇t 

1

: made with maximum effort : thoroughgoing

an all-out effort to win the contest

2

: full-blown sense 2

all out

2 of 2

adverb

: with full determination or enthusiasm : with maximum effort

—used chiefly in the phrase go all out

Synonyms of all-out

Adjective

• sheer
• utter
• unconditional
• complete
• absolute
• pure
• total
• outright
• simple
• definite
• perfect

Adverb

• full steam ahead
• like crazy
• to the hilt
• in full career
• thoroughly
• completely

Examples of all-out in a Sentence

Adjective

Grandpa got the all-out support of the family when he decided to remarry at age 72

an all-out effort to break open the door

Adverb

went all out for her New Year's Eve party—she even had fireworks!

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Thursday saw one of the heaviest days of fighting yet, after the Houthis launched an all-out offensive seeking to encircle the city. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Mustard’s now has an outpost inside Ryan Field, too, part of an all-out effort by Northwestern to attract Chicago, Evanston and North Shore restaurants to the new stadium. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Against this historical reality, Zoe Kazan writes for Cathy turned Kate a speech that lays this all out and that Florence Pugh narrates with the character’s customary matter-of-factness. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Supposedly, Tesla expects to ship them all out within 18 months. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for all-out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

all-out

1 of 2 adjective

ˈȯ-ˈlau̇t

: made with maximum effort : extreme

an all-out attempt to finish on time

all out

2 of 2 adverb

: with maximum effort

went all out to win