all right

♦♦

(in BRIT, also use alright)

1) ADJ: v-link ADJ If you say that someone or something is all right, you mean that you find them satisfactory or acceptable.

I consider you a good friend, and if it's all right with you, I'd like to keep it that way...

`How was this school you attended?' - `It was all right.'

Syn:

okay

ADJ: ADJ n

All right is also used before a noun. [INFORMAL]

He's an all right kind of guy really.

2) ADV: ADV after v If you say that something happens or goes all right, you mean that it happens in a satisfactory or acceptable manner.

Things have thankfully worked out all right...

`Can you walk all right?' the nurse asked him.

Syn:

okay

3) ADJ: v-link ADJ If someone or something is all right, they are well or safe.

All she's worried about is whether he is all right...

Are you feeling all right now?

Syn:

okay

4) PHRASE: cl PHR (emphasis) If you say that something is true all right or something will happen all right, you are emphasizing that there is no doubt that it is true or that it will happen. [INFORMAL]

It's an isolated spot all right...

It looks like water down there all right...

I remember him, all right.

5) CONVENTION (formulae) You say `all right' when you are agreeing to something.

`I think you should go now.' - `All right.'...

`I'll explain later.' - `All right then.'

Syn:

okay

6) CONVENTION You say `all right?' after you have given an instruction or explanation to someone when you are checking that they have understood what you have just said, or checking that they agree with or accept what you have just said.

Peter, you get half the fees. All right?...

I'll see you tomorrow, all right?...

`We'll see what other prisoner officers think, all right?'

Syn:

okay

7) CONVENTION If someone in a position of authority says `all right', and suggests talking about or doing something else, they are indicating that they want you to end one activity and start another.

All right, Bob. You can go now...

All right, boys and girls, let's meet again next week.

8) CONVENTION You say `all right' during a discussion to show that you understand something that someone has just said, and to introduce a statement that relates to it.

I said there was no room in my mother's house, and he said, `All right, come to my studio and paint.'

Syn:

okay

9) CONVENTION You say all right before a statement or question to indicate that you are challenging or threatening someone.

All right, who are you and what are you doing in my office?...

All right, let's stop playing games. Hand over the goods right now.

Syn:

okay