alright
alright
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling
The phonetic spelling for "alright" in American English is:
/ɑlˈraɪt/ or /ɔlˈraɪt/
Syllable 1: al- (/ɑl/)
The sound begins with the open back unrounded vowel /ɑ/, as in "father" or "pot".
It is followed by the voiced alveolar lateral approximant /l/, the "l" sound.
Syllable 2: -right (/ˈraɪt/)
This syllable carries the primary stress, indicated by the /ˈ/ mark.
It begins with the voiced alveolar approximant /r/, the "r" sound.
This is followed by the diphthong /aɪ/, as in "buy" or "high".
The syllable ends with the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/, the "t" sound.
Word Form Variations
The word "alright" is a colloquial or informal spelling of the two-word phrase "all right". In formal writing, "all right" is still the preferred and accepted standard.
"Alright" itself does not have any standard variations (such as plural or comparative forms). Its primary variation is its relationship to the standard form:
Standard Form: all right
Informal/Non-standard Form: alright
It's important to note that "all right" can have a meaning that "alright" cannot convey: "all correct." For example, "The students' answers were all right" means every answer was correct. "The students' answers were alright" means the answers were merely satisfactory.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition: In a satisfactory, acceptable, or adequate condition; not bad, but not exceptional.
Example: "The movie wasn't amazing, but it was alright."
Synonyms: acceptable, satisfactory, passable, adequate, fine, okay
Antonyms: poor, unsatisfactory, terrible, excellent, superb
Definition: Safe, well, or free from harm, injury, or illness.
Example: "He took a nasty fall, but luckily he's alright."
Synonyms: well, safe, unharmed, uninjured, fine, okay
Antonyms: injured, hurt, unwell, harmed
Adverb
Definition: In a satisfactory or acceptable manner; sufficiently well.
Example: "She was nervous, but she did alright during the presentation."
Synonyms: acceptably, adequately, satisfactorily, passably
Antonyms: poorly, badly, terribly, excellently, wonderfully
Interjection
Definition: An expression of affirmation, agreement, or consent.
Example: "Alright, I'll meet you there at six."
Synonyms: okay, fine, agreed, certainly, yes
Antonyms: no, never, no way
Definition: A discourse marker used to command attention, indicate a transition to a new topic, or express mild impatience.
Example: "Alright, class, let's turn to page 52."
Synonyms: okay, right then, so, now
Examples of Use
In Books
In the dialogue of his horror novel The Shining, Stephen King uses both the informal and formal versions in quick succession: "'It's all right, doc. I'm alright.'" (Stephen King, The Shining)
The titular character in a popular young adult novel uses the word to express reluctant acceptance: "'Alright,' I said. 'I'll go.'" (John Green, The Fault in Our Stars)
In Online Publications
When quoting a source in an article about a community garden, a reporter included the informal spelling as spoken: "'You see a little blossom and you think, alright, it’s going to live.'" (The New York Times)
In a review of a new television series, a critic offered a lukewarm assessment: "The lead performance is magnetic, but the plot is just alright." (Vox)
In Entertainment
Film: In the 1993 film Dazed and Confused, Matthew McConaughey's character David Wooderson famously and repeatedly uses the word as his signature catchphrase: "Alright, alright, alright." (Dazed and Confused)
Music: In his Grammy-winning song, which became an anthem for protest movements, Kendrick Lamar uses the word as a refrain of hope: "But if God got us, then we gon' be alright." (Kendrick Lamar, "Alright")
Television: In the comedy series Ted Lasso, the title character often uses the word to check in on his players' well-being after a tough play: "Alright, you okay there, Jamie?" (Ted Lasso)
Video Games: The protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur Morgan, frequently uses the word in conversation to agree or move the dialogue along: "Alright, I'll catch you later then." (Red Dead Redemption 2)
In General Public Discourse
On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), a user might post after a long week: "Finally Friday. It's been a tough one but we're alright."
In a casual conversation, someone might use it to give permission: "Yeah, alright, you can borrow the car this weekend."
On a Reddit forum discussing a movie, a commenter could offer a simple opinion: "I didn't love it or hate it. It was alright I guess."
10 Quotes Using Alright
“Alright, alright, alright.” (Matthew McConaughey as David Wooderson, Dazed and Confused)
“But if God got us, then we gon' be alright.” (Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”)
“Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be alright.” (Bob Marley, “Three Little Birds”)
“The kids are alright.” (The Who, “The Kids Are Alright”)
“We are young, we are free, keep our teeth nice and clean, see our friends, see the sights, feel alright.” (Supergrass, “Alright”)
“I can bitch, I can bitch, 'cause I'm better than you, it's the way that I move, the things that I do, alright!” (Elton John, “The Bitch Is Back”)
“He thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts, but it's alright.” (Stephen King, It)
“You alright?” (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
“Just because you are a character doesn't mean that you have character; Jimmie, we're going to be alright.” (Harvey Keitel as The Wolf, Pulp Fiction)
“Gets me to the church on time, terrifies me, makes me party, puts my trust in God and man, no confessions, no religion, don't believe in modern love, alright!” (David Bowie, “Modern Love”)
Etymology
The word "alright" is a modern, single-word spelling of the much older, two-word phrase "all right". To understand its origin, you have to look at those two original words.
The phrase "all right" comes to us from Old English.
All meant then what it means now: "entirely" or "completely."
Right meant "correct," "proper," or "just."
When you put them together, the first known meaning of "all right" was essentially "completely correct" or "entirely satisfactory." It was used to confirm that everything was in good and proper order.
Over hundreds of years, people took linguistic shortcuts. Just as "all together" was eventually squished into the word "altogether" and "all ready" became "already," people started doing the same with "all right." In casual speech, it sounded like one word, so people began to write it that way.
The first known use of the single-word spelling "alright" appears much more recently, popping up in the late 19th century. The writer Mark Twain, for example, used it in his writing as early as 1896.
However, unlike "already" and "altogether," which became standard centuries ago, "alright" appeared after grammar and spelling rules had become more rigid. Language experts and style guides of the 20th century pushed back against it, branding it as an informal or incorrect spelling. That is why, even today, "alright" is extremely common in everyday use but formal writing still insists on the original two-word phrase, "all right."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Alright
The kids are alright.
Alright by me.
Alright, alright, alright.
To be as right as rain.
More than alright.
Alright then.
To get the green light.
Fair to middling.
An alright sort of person.
Good to go.
That’s alright, mate.
To be in fine fettle.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of alright from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
