all-around

Meanings

adjectiveall-around (not comparable)

CanadaUSidiomaticnot comparableAble to do many or all things well.
He is said to be a greater hunter and an all around sport.
1909, Horace A. Taylor, Tales of Travel All Around the World, page 149
2 more examples
If you want to polish your reputation as an all-around digital photographer, plan on developing at least a modicum of skill with a decent image editing program.
2004, David D. Busch, Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, page 15
But it was as an all-around performer that Gill established his reputation.
2005, Frank Zarnowski, All-around Men: Heroes of a Forgotten Sport, page 98
Synonyms: versatile
CanadaUSidiomaticnot comparableComprehensive in extent.
Children must be given the opportunity to communicate in an all-around way, using language, drawing, music, drama, play, etc. (hence the expression "a child has a hundred languages").
2009, Ole Fredrik Lillemyr, Taking Play Seriously, page 67
2 more examples
While Willie Mays's famous catch off the bat of Vic Wertz and Dusty Rhodes's clutch hitting are what fans remember most about the 1954 World Series, Thompson was easily the all-around best in those four games.
1994, Larry Moffi, Crossing the Line: Black Major Leaguers, 1947-1959, page 18
As mentioned above, the construction of modern population culture is an important and difficult task toward realizing the goal of population development for building a well-off society in an all-around way.
2014, Xueyuan Tian, The Hope of the Country with a Large Population
Synonyms: comprehensive

adverball-around (not comparable)

CanadaUSidiomaticnot comparableGenerally, broadly.
an all-around better player than me
4 more examples
Vacation with pay, annual passes, and all around better working conditions.
1911, The Railroad Telegrapher, volume 28, page 1730
In addition, be sure to reinforce - as persistently as possible - that addressing questionable behavior makes for an all-around better organization.
2005, Christopher Bauer, Better Ethics Now: How to Avoid the Ethics Disaster You Never Saw Coming
He graduated from the Police Academy in 1957 winning the Police Commissioner's Trophy for all around highest scores-academically, physically, and for firearm proficiency.
2010, Anne T. Romano, Italian Americans in Law Enforcement, page 84
Collectively, the three sections in this chapter are intended to add to what has gone before regarding personal behavior and to serve as additional food for thought for those attempting to be all-around better people.
2013, Holland E. Bynam, On Being a Better You, page 26