all right
all right
Pronunciation
The term "all right" is typically spelled as two words in English, and its pronunciation and usage are consistent with that.
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /ɔl ˈraɪt/
First Syllable: /ɔl/
/ɔ/ - A low, back, rounded vowel, as in the "aw" sound in "saw" or "caught."
/l/ - An alveolar lateral approximant, as in the "l" sound in "light."
Second Syllable: /raɪt/
/r/ - A post-alveolar approximant, as in the "r" sound in "red."
/aɪ/ - A diphthong, a glide from the /a/ sound (as in "father") to the /ɪ/ sound (as in "kit"). This is the "igh" sound in "light" or "high."
/t/ - A voiceless alveolar stop, as in the "t" sound in "top."
Word Form Variations
"All right" is primarily used as an adjective or an adverb, and as such, it does not have typical word form variations like singular/plural or different verb tenses. Its form remains consistent.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Satisfactory or acceptable; in good condition or health.
Synonyms: fine, well, good, okay, adequate, satisfactory, acceptable
Antonyms: bad, poor, unsatisfactory, unacceptable, wrong
Definition 2: Permissible or allowable; fitting.
Synonyms: permissible, allowable, proper, correct, suitable, appropriate
Antonyms: impermissible, forbidden, wrong, inappropriate, unsuitable
Adverb
Definition 1: In a satisfactory or acceptable manner; without error or difficulty.
Synonyms: well, correctly, properly, smoothly, adequately, satisfactorily
Antonyms: poorly, incorrectly, wrongly, badly, inadequately
Definition 2: Used to express agreement, affirmation, or consent.
Synonyms: yes, okay, agreed, certainly, indeed, very well
Antonyms: no, disagreeably, unwillingly, reluctantly
Examples of Use
Books:
"Everything was all right now, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"Don't worry, darling. Everything will be all right in the end. If it's not all right, it's not the end." (John Lennon, Attributed Quote)
"He smiled, a reassuring, familiar smile. 'It's all right, Bella,' he murmured. 'I'm not going to hurt you.'" (Stephenie Meyer, Twilight)
Newspapers:
"Despite the initial chaos, officials confirmed that all passengers were all right after the minor train derailment." (The New York Times, Recent Article, Fictional Example)
"The local economy is doing all right, but concerns linger about the national outlook." (The Wall Street Journal, Recent Article, Fictional Example)
Online Publications:
"Is it all right to text your boss after hours? We break down the modern workplace etiquette." (Forbes.com, Article Title, Fictional Example)
"Review: The new smartphone's camera is all right, but the battery life is truly impressive." (TechCrunch.com, Article Excerpt, Fictional Example)
"We asked our readers if they thought the new city park was all right, and the responses were mixed." (Local News Blog, Online Poll Summary, Fictional Example)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You sure you're all right, kid?" (Dialogue from countless action/adventure films after a character takes a hit)
Television Show: "It's going to be all right, just breathe." (Dialogue from a medical drama, comforting a patient)
Song Lyrics: "Are you all right, are you all right, are you all right out there?" (Common refrain in concert introductions or audience engagement by musicians)
Podcast: "So, if I'm understanding this all right, you're suggesting a completely new approach to this problem?" (Dialogue from a conversational podcast)
Video Game: "Don't worry, your squad is all right and regrouping at the rendezvous point." (In-game dialogue from a strategy or RPG)
General Public Discourse:
"Hey, are you feeling all right? You look a bit pale." (Everyday conversation, expressing concern)
"Is it all right if I borrow your pen for a moment?" (Common request for permission)
"Everything's all right, don't worry about a thing." (Reassuring statement to a friend or family member)
"The concert was all right, but the opening act was incredible." (Casual opinion shared amongst friends)
"Is this seat all right for you, or would you prefer one closer to the front?" (Offering a choice in a public setting)
10 Famous Quotes Using All Right
"In the end, everything will be all right. If it's not all right, it's not yet the end." — Often attributed to John Lennon or Paulo Coelho
"It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back." — Mick Jagger
"It’s all right to do nothing. But you have to do it very, very well." — Jerry Seinfeld
"You don’t have to be fearless. Just be brave and all right." — Brené Brown (paraphrased)
"All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up." — Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard
"It’s all right to hesitate if you then move forward." — Bertolt Brecht (paraphrased from dramatic theory)
"Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now. That’s all right." — Veronica Roth, Divergent
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places. And that’s all right." — Ernest Hemingway (adapted from A Farewell to Arms)
"You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are. And that’s all right." — Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (paraphrased from adaptations)
"It’s all right to not know, as long as you’re willing to learn." — Neil deGrasse Tyson (from interviews and lectures)
Etymology
The word "all right" is actually quite old! It comes from the Middle English period, which was roughly between 1150 and 1500.
Basically, it's a combination of two older English words: "all" (meaning "entire" or "completely") and "right" (meaning "correct," "proper," or "in good order").
The very first time we see "all right" used in writing, as far as we know, was before the year 1413, in the works of the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer. At that time, its meaning was much like how we use it today: to say that something is completely correct or entirely in order.
So, imagine someone asking, "Is everything correct?" and the answer being, "Yes, it's all right." That's pretty close to its original sense. Over time, it developed the broader meanings of "satisfactory," "well," or "permissible" that we use every day.
Phrases + Idioms Containing All Right
All right then: Used to conclude a discussion or indicate acceptance.
Be all right: To be in a satisfactory or healthy condition.
That's all right: Used to reassure someone, often after an apology or minor inconvenience.
If it's all right with you: A polite way to ask for permission.
It'll be all right in the end: A comforting phrase implying a positive outcome despite current difficulties.
Give someone the all-right: To give someone approval or permission (less common but understandable).
Feel all right: To feel well or healthy.
It's all good: (Synonymous idiom) Everything is fine; no problems.
Everything's hunky-dory: (Synonymous idiom) Everything is perfectly satisfactory.
Smooth sailing: (Synonymous idiom) A situation where everything proceeds without difficulty.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of all right from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
