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all right
all right
1. A sentence substitute used when one agrees to something or acknowledges something, similar to "OK" or "sure." It can be neutral or it can indicate reluctance. A: "Hey, can you give me a ride home?" B: "All right. Hop in." All right, we can have pizza for dinner tonight, just stop whining about it! A: "I'm going out, I'll be back tonight." B: "All right, see you later."
2. interjection Great! Indicates one's excitement about something. All right, I got a perfect score on my test! My package came today? All right!
3. adjective Fair. Emphasizes that something is not especially good or bad. That movie was just all right. Don't waste your money seeing it in the theater, but it might be worth a rental. My foot feels all right these days, but I'm not ready to run a marathon or anything.
4. adjective Safe. Uninjured or unharmed. Sorry for making such a sharp turn there! Is everyone all right?
5. adverb For certain. Typically used at the end of a sentence to emphasize that something is definitely true, perhaps with a note of sarcasm or annoyance. My boyfriend is late all right—he was supposed to be here an hour ago!
all right
1. an indication of agreement or acquiescence. (Often pronounced aright in familiar conversation.) Father: Do it now, before you forget. Bill: All right. Tom: Please remember to bring me back a pizza. Sally: All right, but I get some of it.
2. Inf. a shout of agreement or encouragement. (Usually All right!) Alice: Come on, let's give Sally some encouragement. Fred: All right, Sally! Keep it up! You can do it! "That's the way to go! All right!" shouted various members of the audience.
3. well, good, or okay, but not excellent. (This phrase has all the uses that okay has.) I was a little sick, but now I'm all right. His work is all right, but nothing to brag about. All right, it's time to go.
4. beyond a doubt; as the evidence shows. The dog's dead all right. It hasn't moved at all. The train's late all right. There must be a problem up the line.
all right
1. Completely correct, as in You have a perfect score-your answers are all right. (It could just as well be put as "all your answers are right.")
2. In proper or working order, in a satisfactory way, as in
The engine is running all right now. [Late 1800s] Also see
turn out all right.
3. In good health, as in John had the flu, but he's all right now. [Early 1900s]
4. Not injured, safe, as in It was just a minor accident and everyone is all right. [Early 1900s]
5. Very well, yes, as in
Do you want to leave now?-All right, or
All right, we'll stay home. [First half of 1800s] Also see
all right with you.
6. Certainly, without a doubt, as in It's late all right, but it will probably come today. [Mid-1800s]
7. Hurrah! Good for you, as in All right! your team has done it again! [Slang; mid-1900s]
8. Also, all-right. Good, satisfactory. For example, This restaurant is all right, or Harry is an all-right guy. [Slang; mid-1900s]
all right
1. interj. yes; okay. All right. I’ll do it.
2. mod. for sure; for certain. He’s the one who said it, all right.
3. mod. okay. (This is hyphenated before a nominal. Slang when used before a nominal.) Willy is an all-right guy.
4. exclam. That’s good!; Keep it up! (A general expression of approval, often cried out from the audience during a performance or at applause time. Usually All right! The right is drawn out and falling in pitch.) “All right!” cried the crowd when they heard the announcement about the pay increase.