all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing

ˌȯl-ər-ˈnə-thiŋ

1

: all-or-none

2

a

: accepting no less than everything

he's an all-or-nothing perfectionist

b

: risking everything

an all-or-nothing combat strategy

Examples of all-or-nothing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Connor, based in Boulder, Colorado, told Fox News Digital the paleo diet is not an all-or-nothing eating plan. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

The real mistake is treating seat selection as all-or-nothing rather than considering when comfort actually matters. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026

So far, results have mirrored the style of play in terms of being all-or-nothing — Colorado has four wins, three losses and has not yet drawn. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026

The decision could be for another all-or-nothing swing at the highest level of talent. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for all-or-nothing

• nothing

Medical Definition

all-or-nothing

adjective

all-or-noth·​ing -ˈnəth-iŋ 

: all-or-none