all-

prefix

/ɔːl-/

/ɑːl-/

Definition

› used in front of many nouns to form adjectives meaning `every', `every type of', or `the whole of' that particular thing: an all-night bar (= a bar that is open for the whole night)Both, all, each and every › used in front of many adjectives and present participles to mean `everything' or `everyone': an all-inclusive price all-conquering armiesBoth, all, each and every › used in front of many nouns and adjectives to mean `completely': all-cotton socks (= socks that are made completely of cotton) When cooking the sauce, don't forget that all-important (= most or very important) ingredient, fresh basil. Do you believe in an all-powerful god (= one with unlimited power)?Complete and wholeVery and extremeVery and extremeComplete and wholeIntensifying expressions

(Definition of all- prefix from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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