allover
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Covering the entire surface: Extending over or affecting the whole of something, without gaps or interruptions. This is the primary and most common meaning.
- Complete, total: In a more figurative sense, describing something that is thorough or pervasive.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The fabric had an allover floral print. (The pattern covered the entire piece of cloth without any blank spaces.)
- After a week at the beach, she had an allover tan. (The tan covered her entire body uniformly.)
- The artist applied an allover wash of blue to the canvas before adding details. (A thin, even layer of blue paint covered the whole canvas.)
Advanced Usage
- "Allover" as an adjective typically precedes and modifies a noun (e.g., pattern, design, feeling).
- It is often used in contexts related to design, fashion, textiles, and appearance to describe something that is not localized.
- In informal contexts, it can describe a pervasive feeling or state.
- A sense of dread was allover him after hearing the news. (A feeling of dread completely affected him.)
Variants and Related Words
- All-over (adjective): This is a hyphenated variant spelling of "allover." Both forms are correct, though "allover" is often listed as a single word in modern dictionaries.
- She preferred an all-over design for the wallpaper.
- Overall (adjective/adverb): While similar, "overall" more often refers to a general view or consideration of something as a whole, rather than a physical covering.
- The overall performance of the team was good. (Considering everything together.)
Synonyms
- Covering: Extending over.
- Pervasive: Spreading widely throughout an area or group of people.
- Uniform: Not varying; the same in all parts and at all times.
Antonyms
- Partial: Existing only in part; incomplete.
- Localized: Restricted to a particular place or part.
- Spotty: Occurring in scattered places; not uniform or consistent.
Related Phrases
- All over the place: This is an idiom (a phrase) meaning "in many different locations" or "disorganized." It is related in concept but is a separate phrase, not a single adjective.
- His papers were all over the place. (His papers were scattered everywhere.)
- Her speech was all over the place. (Her speech was disorganized and jumped between topics.)
Adjective
- covering the entire surface
- an allover pattern
- got an allover tan