all right

Slang Dictionary

all right definition


  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.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

all right

  1. Completely correct, as in You have a perfect scoreyour 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]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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