What is the main difference between 'altogether' and 'all together'?

'Altogether' is an adverb meaning 'completely' or 'in total'. 'All together' is a phrase meaning 'everyone/everything in one place' or 'at the same time'.

Can 'altogether' be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it often is when it means 'when everything is considered' (e.g., 'Altogether, it was a good day').

Is 'altogether' a formal word?

It is neutral but can sound slightly more formal than synonyms like 'totally' or 'completely' in everyday speech.

How do I use 'not altogether' correctly?

It's a common understatement meaning 'not completely' or 'not entirely'. Example: 'I'm not altogether convinced' means 'I have serious doubts'.

How do you pronounce “altogether”?

Altogether: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

altogether: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðə/US/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/

Neutral to slightly formal

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “altogether” mean?

Completely, in every way, or when everything is considered as a whole.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Completely, in every way, or when everything is considered as a whole.

Can imply a final, total sum or amount, or to express a strong, definitive opinion about something.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in core meaning or grammatical use. Minor differences in typical collocations.

Connotations

In both dialects, 'in the altogether' is a dated, humorous euphemism for being naked.

Frequency

Used with similar frequency in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “altogether” in a Sentence

Adverb + Adjective (altogether different)Verb + Altogether (stopped altogether)Altogether + Clause (Altogether, it was a success)

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

altogether differentaltogether wrongaltogether too

medium

altogether impossiblealtogether avoidablealtogether clear

weak

altogether pleasantaltogether surprisingaltogether satisfactory

Examples

Examples of “altogether” in a Sentence

adverb

British English

That's an altogether more sensible idea.
The manager said the proposal was altogether unacceptable.

American English

The new design is altogether different from the old one.
I stopped eating sugar altogether last year.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

"The project was an altogether more expensive undertaking than we initially forecast."

Academic

"The two theories are altogether incompatible and cannot be reconciled."

Everyday

"I'm not altogether sure I locked the front door."

Technical

Rare in highly technical contexts; used for summary or definitive conclusions.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “altogether”

Strong

utterlyabsolutelywholly

Neutral

completelyentirelytotally

Weak

largelymostlyon the whole

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “altogether”

partiallysomewhatslightlyin part

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “altogether”

Writing 'all together' when 'altogether' (meaning 'completely') is intended, and vice versa.
Overusing 'altogether' in place of simpler adverbs like 'very' or 'really'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: 'Altogether' is an adverb meaning 'completely' or 'in total'. 'All together' is a phrase meaning 'everyone/everything in one place' or 'at the same time'.
: Yes, it often is when it means 'when everything is considered' (e.g., 'Altogether, it was a good day').
: It is neutral but can sound slightly more formal than synonyms like 'totally' or 'completely' in everyday speech.
: It's a common understatement meaning 'not completely' or 'not entirely'. Example: 'I'm not altogether convinced' means 'I have serious doubts'.
: Completely, in every way, or when everything is considered as a whole.
: Altogether: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“in the altogether (naked)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: ALTogether = ALTogether = All in one, completely. If it's one word, it means 'completely'. Two words ('all together') means 'everyone in one place'.

Conceptual Metaphor

COMPLETENESS/WHOLENESS IS UNITY (the word merges 'all' and 'together' to express a unified, complete state).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the scandal, public trust in the institution vanished .

Multiple Choice

In which sentence is 'altogether' used CORRECTLY?