carryall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumInformal, Everyday
Quick answer
What does “carryall” mean?
A large bag or holdall, typically made of soft material, used for carrying miscellaneous items or light luggage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large bag or holdall, typically made of soft material, used for carrying miscellaneous items or light luggage.
A versatile piece of luggage or a capacious tote bag, often unstructured and without rigid compartments. Can refer to a type of automobile (e.g., station wagon) in some older, specific American usage, though this is now rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'holdall' is the more common equivalent for a large soft bag. In North America, 'carryall' is the standard term for a large tote or duffel-style bag.
Connotations
The word in AmE has no specific class or stylistic connotations beyond its functional meaning. In BrE, it may be perceived as an Americanism.
Frequency
Frequent in American English; less frequent in British English, where 'holdall', 'tote bag', or 'weekend bag' are preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “carryall” in a Sentence
carryall (verb: carry) + (prep: in/into/with) + (noun: bag)noun + (prep: of) + carryalladjective + carryallVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in retail/ fashion contexts (e.g., 'Our new line of leather carryalls').
Academic
Very rare outside of specific material culture studies.
Everyday
Primary context; used when discussing luggage, shopping, or personal items for travel/beach/day trips.
Technical
Rare; not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carryall”
- Misspelling as 'carry-all' (though hyphenated form is sometimes accepted).
- Using it to mean a person who carries things (that would be 'carrier').
- Confusing it with 'trolley' or 'cart'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A carryall is typically larger, less structured, and used for carrying a wider variety of items than a standard handbag, which is often designed for daily personal essentials.
They are very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. 'Duffel bag' can imply a more cylindrical shape with a drawstring, while 'carryall' is a broader term that can include large totes and unstructured bags.
No, 'carryall' is solely a noun. The verb form is simply 'carry'.
Some dictionaries list it as a variant, but the solid, single-word form 'carryall' is more common in modern usage.
A large bag or holdall, typically made of soft material, used for carrying miscellaneous items or light luggage.
Carryall is usually informal, everyday in register.
Carryall: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæ.ri.ɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæ.ri.ɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms specific to this noun)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: You CARRY ALL your things in a CARRYALL.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BAG IS A CONTAINER (for objects, and by extension, for one's preparedness or belongings).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'carryall' in modern American English?