all-in-all

A student's all-in-all is a good education.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • Everything (to someone): "all-in-all" refers to something or someone that is the most important or cherished entity, representing a person's entire world or source of affection.
   • The whole: In a broader sense, "all-in-all" can mean the entirety or sum total of something.

2. Adverb:

   • Generally speaking: "all-in-all" is used to mean "considering everything" or "on the whole," summarizing a situation or opinion after weighing various factors.
   • Completely: In some contexts, it can mean "entirely" or "totally."

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She is my all-in-all; I cannot imagine life without her. (She is everything to me, my entire world.)
  • Music is his all-in-all, his only passion and comfort. (Music is the most important thing in his life.)

• Adverb:

  • All-in-all, it was a successful trip despite the rain. (Considering everything, the trip was good overall.)
  • He was all-in-all responsible for the project's failure. (He was completely or entirely responsible.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be one's all-in-all": to be the most important person or thing in someone's life.

  • Her children are her all-in-all; she devotes every moment to them. (Her children are her entire focus and love.)

• "all-in-all in the end": used to emphasize a final judgment after considering all aspects.

  • All-in-all in the end, the decision was correct. (After everything, the decision was right.)

Variants and Related Words

• All-in-one (adj): combining several functions or features in a single unit.

  • This printer is an all-in-one device that can scan, copy, and fax. (It does multiple tasks.)

• All-inclusive (adj): including everything or everyone, especially in pricing.

  • The resort offers an all-inclusive package for meals and activities. (Everything is covered in the price.)

Synonyms

• Everything: the total sum or most important thing.
• Totally: completely or entirely (as an adverb).
• Overall: considering everything (as an adverb).

Related Idioms

• All in all: a synonymous phrase used to mean "on the whole" or "considering everything."

  • All in all, it was a good day. (Overall, it was a good day.)
  • She is all in all to him. (She is everything to him.)

• Be all and end all: something that is the ultimate or most important aspect.

  • Winning the championship is the be all and end all for this team. (It is their ultimate goal.)