all-rounder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, slightly informal. Common in sports, performance reviews, and general praise.
Quick answer
What does “all-rounder” mean?
A person who is skilled in many different areas or fields.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is skilled in many different areas or fields.
An object or system that is versatile and suitable for many purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'all-rounder' vs. US 'all-arounder'. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more common in UK English, especially in cricket context. In US, 'utility player' or 'versatile' person/thing might be used.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English. In US, 'all-around athlete' or 'all-around good guy' is more common phrasing.
Grammar
How to Use “all-rounder” in a Sentence
to be an all-rounderto prove oneself as an all-roundera(n) [adjective] all-rounderVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “all-rounder” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Ben Stokes is a genuine all-rounder, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
- We need an all-rounder for the team who can field in any position.
American English
- She's not just a scorer; she's an all-arounder who also leads in rebounds and assists.
- In a startup, being an all-arounder is often more valuable than deep specialization.
adverb
British English
- The course prepares students all-rounder.
American English
- The program develops athletes all-around.
adjective
British English
- We are looking for all-rounder skills in the candidate.
American English
- He has all-around talent, good at both writing and design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR/performance reviews to praise an employee competent in multiple areas of the business.
Academic
Rare. Might describe a student who excels across different subjects.
Everyday
Common for praising someone good at sports, handy around the house, or skilled in various hobbies.
Technical
In sports (esp. cricket), a player skilled at both batting and bowling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “all-rounder”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “all-rounder”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “all-rounder”
- Using 'all-rounder' as an adjective (e.g., 'He is all-rounder'). Correct: 'He is AN all-rounder.' Confusing spelling: allrounder (needs hyphen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An all-rounder has good skills in many areas, while a specialist has deep, expert knowledge in one specific area.
Generally yes, it praises versatility. However, in contexts requiring deep expertise, it can imply a lack of specialist depth ('jack of all trades, master of none').
Yes, though less common. It describes a versatile product or tool suitable for many purposes (e.g., 'This kitchen knife is a real all-rounder').
The most direct equivalent is 'all-arounder', though phrases like 'all-around athlete' or 'versatile person' are more frequently used.
A person who is skilled in many different areas or fields.
All-rounder is usually neutral, slightly informal. common in sports, performance reviews, and general praise. in register.
All-rounder: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːl ˈraʊndə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːl ˈraʊndər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “jack of all trades, master of none (often a critical contrast to 'all-rounder')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ball rolling ALL AROUND a field, touching every part of it. An ALL-ROUNDER touches many skills.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOLBOX (containing many tools for different jobs).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'all-rounder' correctly?