All vs Entire

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

 AllEntire
MeaningEverything or everyone, without exception.Whole or complete.
CEFR levelA1B2
Part of speechdetermineradjective
Usage notesUse 'all' in both spoken and written English when referring to the entirety of a group. Avoid using 'all' when referring to a specific subset, as it implies inclusivity.Use 'entire' when referring to something completely or fully. It's suitable for most contexts, except very casual conversations where 'whole' might be more common.

Frequently asked questions: All vs Entire

What's the difference between "All" and "Entire"?

"All" means: Everything or everyone, without exception. "Entire" means: Whole or complete.

When should I use "All" and "Entire"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "All" and "Entire" the same CEFR level?

"All" is at A1, "Entire" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.

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