Altogether: meaning, definitions and examples
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altogether
[ หษหltษหษกษรฐษ ]
used to emphasize that a particular situation or feeling is complete or extreme
Completely; totally. Used to emphasize the importance or seriousness of something. Often used in a negative context to express disapproval or disappointment.
Synonyms
completely, entirely, totally, wholly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| altogether |
This word is often used to emphasize the totality or completeness of something. It's suitable for summarizing or concluding thoughts.
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| completely |
This word is used to express that something is done to its fullest extent. It's common in everyday conversation and when aiming to stress thoroughness.
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| totally |
Commonly used in informal speech, especially in American English, to emphasize full extent. Sometimes it carries a casual or exaggerated tone.
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| entirely |
This word suggests total inclusion or an unqualified extent. It's often used in formal contexts or to indicate no partial measures.
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| wholly |
This word is used particularly in formal or written contexts to indicate something is complete in all aspects. It's less common in everyday speech.
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Examples of usage
- She was altogether too excited to sleep before the big day.
- I think it's altogether too soon to make a decision.
used to indicate that everything has been taken into consideration
Wholly; completely. Used to indicate that everything or everyone has been included or accounted for.
Synonyms
all in all, completely, entirely, wholly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| altogether |
Used to refer to the entirety of something, often implying a sense of summation or totality.
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| entirely |
Similar to 'completely', but often used to stress that something is totally and without exception the case.
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| completely |
Used to emphasize the full extent of something, often to highlight thoroughness or to stress that something is done to the fullest degree.
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| wholly |
Used to emphasize that something is complete or entire in a more formal or literary sense.
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| all in all |
Used to give a summary or general opinion after considering all the facts.
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Examples of usage
- Altogether, there were about fifty people at the party.
- I think we have found altogether a satisfactory solution to the problem.
used to indicate that something is a total amount or total result
In total; all in all. Used to indicate that a particular amount or result is the sum of all the individual parts.
Synonyms
all in all, in total, overall, total.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| altogether |
Used to show complete agreement or totality in a situation. Also used to indicate the sum of multiple elements.
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| in total |
Used to indicate the final, cumulative amount or number after adding up individual elements.
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| all in all |
Used to summarize or give a final assessment of a situation, often focusing on the overall experience or outcome.
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| overall |
Used to give a general view or summary, considering all aspects or elements of a situation.
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| total |
Often used as a noun to indicate the sum or entirety of something. Also used as an adjective to describe something as complete or absolute.
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Examples of usage
- The bill came to $50 altogether.
- We walked for three hours altogether.
Etymology
The word 'altogether' originated in the late Middle English period from the phrase 'all to-geder'. The prefix 'all-' emphasizes the meaning of 'together', indicating a complete or total state. Over time, the word evolved into 'altogether', with the same meaning of completeness or entirety. It has been used in English language to express various nuances of totality or completeness in different contexts.
See also: together.