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Meaning & use

well-rounded

adjective·Everydayapproving

Last updated

UK/ˌwɛl ˈraʊndɪd/
US/ˌwɛl ˈraʊndɪd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Having a good balance of skills, interests or experience instead of being strong in only one area.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a well-rounded student, she is well-rounded.

    Patterns

    • a well-rounded + person
    • well-rounded in something

    Universities look for well-rounded students who play sports and volunteer.

    He became a well-rounded cook by studying many cuisines.

    A well-rounded team has both strong defenders and creative attackers.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounapproving

    Complete and covering many parts so that nothing important is missing.

    Grammar: Describes things such as an education, diet or report: a well-rounded diet.

    Patterns

    • a well-rounded + noun

    A well-rounded education includes arts as well as science.

    The report gives a well-rounded view of the issue.

    She follows a well-rounded diet with plenty of vegetables.

Word forms

comparativemore well-rounded
superlativemost well-rounded

Common combinations

well-rounded education
The school offers a well-rounded education.
well-rounded individual
She is a well-rounded individual with many interests.
well-rounded diet
A well-rounded diet needs protein and fiber.
well-rounded athlete
The decathlete is a well-rounded athlete.
well-rounded approach
They took a well-rounded approach to the problem.

Synonyms and how they differ

versatile
Versatile stresses being able to do many different things, while well-rounded stresses balance across areas.
balanced
Balanced is more general and can describe any mix of parts, while well-rounded often refers to a person's development.
all-around
All-around is more informal and mostly used for athletes or performers.
comprehensive
Comprehensive describes things that include all parts, but is rarely used for people.

Opposites

one-sidednarrowspecialized

Word family

round verb
to make something round or complete, as in round out
rounded adjective
curved, or fully developed
roundness noun
the state of being round
well-roundedness noun
the quality of having balanced skills

Commonly confused: well-rounded or well-round?

well-rounded vs well-round

The form well-round is not used. Say well-rounded, with the -ed ending, before a noun.

Practice

The college wants a ____ applicant who has strong grades, hobbies and volunteer work.

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