all-American

IPA/ˈɔːlɐmˈɛɹɪkən/
IPA/ˈɔːlɐmˈɛɹɪkən/

all-American — adjective

1. showing the qualities — like wholesomeness, friendliness, or athletic spirit — t

1.形容詞C1
釋義

showing the qualities — like wholesomeness, friendliness, or athletic spirit — that many Americans see as ideal and admirable in their country.

例句

With his bright smile and football jersey, Tyler looked like the all-American boy next door.

before noun: all-American + person noun

The cafe served burgers, milkshakes, and apple pie — a truly all-American menu.

modifies food/cultural noun

同義詞
  • wholesome

    focuses on moral cleanliness; lacks the national flavour

  • patriotic

    shows love of country, but not the same image of an ideal American type

反義詞
  • un-American

    suggests behaviour seen as against US values

文法句型

all-American + noun

用法筆記

Almost always before a noun, often paired with words like boy, girl, family, hero, or values. Carries an approving tone tied to traditional cultural ideals; contrast with sense 3, which is sport-specific.

常見錯誤

❌His haircut is very all-American.
✅He has a very all-American haircut.
💡this sense sits before a noun, not after a linking verb.

2. made up of, or bringing together, people or items drawn from every part of the U

2.形容詞C1
釋義

made up of, or bringing together, people or items drawn from every part of the United States rather than just one region.

例句

The festival featured an all-American line-up, with bands from Texas, Maine, Oregon, and Florida.

modifies group/event noun

The cookbook offers an all-American tour of regional dishes, from gumbo to Boston clam chowder.

同義詞
  • nationwide

    covers the whole country but is more neutral and less patriotic in tone

  • coast-to-coast

    stresses geographic spread; often used for tours or broadcasts

反義詞
  • regional

    limited to one area of the country

文法句型

all-American + plural/group noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is geographic spread across the country, not the cultural ideal. Subject is usually a group, line-up, mix, or collection.

3. describing a US college or amateur athlete whom sports writers or coaches have r

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a US college or amateur athlete whom sports writers or coaches have ranked among the country's very top players in their game that season.

例句

Maria was named an all-American swimmer in her senior year at Stanford.

passive: be named an all-American + sport noun

The high school proudly listed three all-American basketball players on its wall of fame.

before sport role noun

同義詞
  • all-star

    covers any league's top picks, including pros; not limited to US amateurs

文法句型

all-American + sport role noun

用法筆記

Limited to amateur and college sport, especially in the US. Often appears in fixed phrases like 'all-American honours', 'all-American team', or 'named an all-American'.

常見錯誤

❌He plays for the national team, so he is all-American.
✅He plays in college and was named an all-American last year.
💡the label is for picked amateur stars, not for any national-team player.

all-American — noun