all right
all right — adjective
1. good enough to meet what is needed, even if it does not stand out as especially
good enough to meet what is needed, even if it does not stand out as especially impressive.
The hotel was all right for one night near the airport.
be all right for + limited purpose
Your essay is all right now; just fix the date on page two.
all right now after a small correction
The sound is all right on my laptop, so start the film.
Those chairs look all right, but the wooden table is stronger.
- okay
very close everyday alternative
- acceptable
more formal and less conversational
- fine
often sounds slightly more settled or reassuring
- unacceptable
fails the required standard
- poor
clearly below the level needed
文法句型
be all right
look all right
用法筆記
This sense judges whether something reaches a practical standard. Distinguish it from sense 3, which sounds warmer and is more about personal enjoyment than basic acceptability.
2. barely good enough to use or accept, with clear limits that the speaker still no
barely good enough to use or accept, with clear limits that the speaker still notices.
The soup was all right, but it needed more salt and heat.
all right, but ... signals limited approval
Damon's excuse sounded all right to the teacher, though nobody else believed it.
The shoes are all right for today, but not for the hike.
The first draft was all right, yet the report still felt unfinished.
文法句型
be all right, but ...
sound all right, but ...
用法筆記
Speakers often add a contrast after this sense because they are pointing to remaining weaknesses. It is more critical than sense 1, which can be a plain neutral judgment.
3. pleasant enough or fairly enjoyable, though not wonderful.
pleasant enough or fairly enjoyable, though not wonderful.
The cafe by the river is all right when you want a quiet lunch.
personal reaction to an experience
I thought the play was all right, especially the last scene.
The band's new song is all right, and the chorus stays in your head.
Sunday's market was all right once the rain finally stopped.
文法句型
be all right
sound all right
用法筆記
This sense gives a mild personal reaction. Unlike sense 1, it is often about whether something felt enjoyable rather than whether it met a practical need.
4. very good or exciting, especially when the speaker says it with strong approval.
very good or exciting, especially when the speaker says it with strong approval.
That band was all right, and the whole crowd kept dancing.
enthusiastic approval in speech
Your goal in the final minute was all right, Mateo!
The fireworks were all right tonight, lighting up the harbour.
Auntie Mei said the mango cake was all right and took another slice.
- terrible
strong negative judgment
文法句型
be all right!
用法筆記
Tone is crucial here. With lively stress, the phrase becomes real praise; said flatly, it usually falls back to the milder senses 1 or 3.
5. said with annoyance when another person has a luckier, easier, or safer position
said with annoyance when another person has a luckier, easier, or safer position than you do.
It's all right for you; your office has air-conditioning all day.
it's all right for + person
Staying late was all right for Gabriel because he lives upstairs.
It's all right for the tourists; they leave tomorrow before the storm.
Elena muttered it was all right for them because they kept their bikes.
- easy for you to say
longer phrase with the same complaining force
- lucky you
more sarcastic and shorter
文法句型
it's all right for [someone]
用法筆記
This fixed pattern expresses resentment, not approval. It means someone else can cope easily because their circumstances are better than yours.
6. safe, healthy, or not hurt after danger, illness, or worry.
safe, healthy, or not hurt after danger, illness, or worry.
After the bus skidded, everyone climbed out all right.
all right after danger means unharmed
Text me when you get home, so I know you're all right.
The baby is all right now that the fever has gone down.
Doctors say Mrs. Chen should be all right after the operation.
文法句型
be all right
feel all right
用法筆記
Use this sense after accidents, illness, or anxious waiting. It is about being unharmed or recovering, not about whether you need more help or food.
7. having enough to continue without more help, food, money, or attention, so that
having enough to continue without more help, food, money, or attention, so that nothing extra is needed.
"More rice?" "No, thanks, I'm all right for now."
polite refusal: I'm all right for now
We packed two bottles of water, so we'll be all right till noon.
Rafi said the children were all right with crayons and paper.
If the bus is late, we're all right because the museum stays open.
文法句型
be all right for now
be all right without [something]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 6, this one is about coping or not needing anything more. That is why it appears in polite refusals such as 'I'm all right, thanks.'
all right — exclamation
1. used as a casual greeting that also checks how the other person is doing.
used as a casual greeting that also checks how the other person is doing.
"All right, Hiro?" "Yeah, just tired from work."
casual British greeting plus wellbeing check
The shopkeeper looked up and said, "All right? Need any help?"
When Layla opened the door, her neighbour called, "All right?"
"All right, Dad?" Theo asked while carrying in the groceries.
- you okay?
more direct and slightly more concerned
- how's it going?
broader greeting, less focused on wellbeing
文法句型
All right?
All right, [name]?
用法筆記
This is especially common in British speech. It usually expects a short friendly answer rather than a detailed report about your health.
常見錯誤
2. said to accept a plan, show approval, or signal that people should go ahead.
said to accept a plan, show approval, or signal that people should go ahead.
"We meet outside the station at eight." "All right, see you there."
reply accepting a plan
The coach blew the whistle and shouted, "All right, let's start again."
all right, let's ... to move the group forward
"Can I borrow your charger?" "All right, but bring it back tonight."
After the explanation, Mrs. Ali nodded and said, "All right, I understand."
- no
plain refusal instead of agreement
文法句型
All right, [clause]
All right, let's [verb]
用法筆記
The tone may sound willing, resigned, or firm depending on the voice. In all cases, the speaker is accepting what comes next or allowing it to happen.
3. said after thanks or an apology to show that the matter is settled and no offens
said after thanks or an apology to show that the matter is settled and no offense remains.
"Sorry I stepped on your foot." "That's all right."
reply to an apology
"Thanks for waiting with me." "It's all right; I had time anyway."
reply to thanks
Mr. Gomez smiled and said, "That's all right," when Nina spilled the juice.
"I'm sorry I'm late." "It's all right; the meeting hasn't started yet."
- no problem
more casual and very common
- that's okay
near-identical everyday reply
- don't mention it
slightly more formal after thanks
文法句型
That's all right.
It's all right.
用法筆記
This is a reassuring reply. In many situations it sounds slightly more British than 'no problem', especially after someone apologizes.
all right — adverb
1. in a satisfactory or fairly successful way, even if nothing is outstanding.
in a satisfactory or fairly successful way, even if nothing is outstanding.
The interview went all right once I stopped speaking so quickly.
go all right describes how an event turns out
Our train ride was all right until the last ten minutes.
The children slept all right after the hallway lights were dimmed.
I can cook fish all right, but bread still gives me trouble.
- okay
common everyday alternative
- satisfactorily
more formal and less conversational
- badly
the activity goes poorly
文法句型
go all right
sleep all right
do all right
用法筆記
This sense comments on how an activity or event turned out. It does not describe a person's safety; that meaning belongs to adjective sense 6.
2. certainly and without doubt, often used to add emphatic force after a statement.
certainly and without doubt, often used to add emphatic force after a statement.
If Mina tries that hot sauce, she'll cry all right.
all right adds emphatic certainty
The roof is leaking all right; look at the bucket in the hall.
Jasper can sing all right, even without the microphone.
That old engine still works all right; listen to it start.
- definitely
straightforward neutral equivalent
- certainly
slightly more formal
- maybe
shows uncertainty instead of certainty
文法句型
verb + all right
用法筆記
Speakers usually stress this sense strongly. Unlike adverb sense 1, it does not mean 'quite well'; it means 'for sure' or 'no doubt'.