Library / English Dictionary

ALL THE WAY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

To the goal

Example:

she climbed the mountain all the way

Synonyms:

all the way; the whole way

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not stopping short of sexual intercourse

Example:

she went all the way with him

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 3

Meaning:

Completely

Example:

there were open fields clear to the horizon

Synonyms:

all the way; clear

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

Holmes had been buried in the morning papers all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he threw them down and began to admire the scenery.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Whatever they wanted to bring me all the way up here for, and then—”

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This first sighting of phosphorus monoxide on a comet helps astronomers draw a connection between star-forming regions, where the molecule is created, all the way to Earth.

(Astronomers Reveal Interstellar Thread of One of Life’s Building Blocks, ESO)

But all the way through, from the first sentence to the last, was sounded the note of hurt and disappointment.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

With such kinds of histories of their parties and good jokes, did Lydia, assisted by Kitty's hints and additions, endeavour to amuse her companions all the way to Longbourn.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would have walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a word.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

And that is all that I can recollect of it—but it is very clever all the way through.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

We rode hard all the way till we drew up before Dr. Livesey's door.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Not in the stage, I assure you, replied Miss Steele, with quick exultation; we came post all the way, and had a very smart beau to attend us.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I resisted all the way: a new thing for me, and a circumstance which greatly strengthened the bad opinion Bessie and Miss Abbot were disposed to entertain of me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)