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Meaning & use

alright

adjective, adverb, interjection·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ɔːlˈraɪt/
US/ɔːlˈraɪt/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparableinformal

    Acceptable or good enough; neither bad nor especially good.

    Grammar: Used after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', 'feel'; not used before a noun.

    Patterns

    • be alright
    • seem alright
    • feel alright

    The food was alright, but I've had better.

    Is everything alright with your order?

    The movie was alright, not great.

  2. adjectivenot comparableinformal

    Safe, healthy, or not hurt, especially after a problem or accident.

    Grammar: Often used in questions or after 'be', 'feel', 'get'.

    Patterns

    • be alright
    • get alright
    • feel alright

    Are you alright? You look pale.

    She was worried, but her son is alright now.

    After the accident, the driver was shaken but alright.

  3. adverbinformal

    In a satisfactory way; well enough.

    Grammar: Used to modify a verb, often at the end of a clause.

    Patterns

    • do alright
    • go alright
    • work out alright

    He did alright on the exam.

    The meeting went alright.

    Everything worked out alright in the end.

  4. interjectioninformal

    Used to say yes, to agree, or to show that you understand or accept what was said.

    Grammar: Stands alone or begins a sentence; very common in speech.

    Patterns

    • Alright, ...
    • Alright?

    Alright, let's go.

    Alright, I'll meet you at six.

    Alright, you've convinced me.

Common combinations

feel alright
I feel alright after a good night's sleep.
be alright
Don't worry, everything will be alright.
do alright
She did alright in her first job.
alright then
Alright then, see you tomorrow.

Synonyms and how they differ

all right
The standard spelling in formal writing; 'alright' is common informally but often avoided in edited text.
okay
Similar in meaning and informality; 'okay' is more common in American English.
fine
Can mean 'good enough' but often suggests higher quality than 'alright'.
acceptable
More formal; means good enough to be accepted, without implying enthusiasm.

Opposites

unacceptablebad

Word family

right adjective
Correct or true; also used in 'all right'.

Commonly confused: alright or all right? alright or allright?

alright vs all right

The two-word form is the traditional and formal spelling. 'Alright' is widely used but considered informal by some.

alright vs allright

This is a misspelling; the correct forms are 'alright' (informal) or 'all right' (formal).

Practice

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