all in all 1 n. phr. , literary The person or thing that you love most. She was all in all to him. Music was his all in all.
all in all 2 adv. phr. When everything is thought about; in summary; altogether. All in all, it was a pleasant day's cruise. All in all, the pilot of an airplane must have many abilities and years of experience before he can he appointed.
Compare: ON THE WHOLE 1. Counting the balls on the green, we have six golf balls in all.