alright
alright — adjective
1. good enough, well, or safe — used to say that someone is fine or that something
good enough, well, or safe — used to say that someone is fine or that something is acceptable, though not especially excellent.
Camille twisted her ankle on the stairs, but the doctor said she was alright.
predicative use: someone is alright (= unhurt or fine)
The pizza at that little shop near the station is alright, but nothing special.
alright = acceptable but not impressive
Is it alright with you if Tomás brings his dog to the party tomorrow?
Don't worry about the broken cup — everything is going to be alright.
Her new haircut looks alright, though I preferred the longer style.
- okay
same meaning and register; both informal
- fine
slightly more positive — 'fine' often suggests no problem at all
- acceptable
more formal; suggests it meets a minimum standard
文法句型
be + alright
alright + with + someone
用法筆記
'Alright' is the informal alternative spelling of 'all right'. In essays, business writing, and other formal contexts, 'all right' is strongly preferred and many editors still treat 'alright' as an error.
常見錯誤
alright — exclamation
1. a casual British hello, often said with rising tone — it works as both a greetin
a casual British hello, often said with rising tone — it works as both a greeting and a quick check that the other person is doing fine, and usually does not need a real reply.
Alright, mate? I haven't seen you since the football game last Saturday.
British greeting: 'Alright, mate?'
Tom passed Dilnoza in the corridor and called out, "Alright?" without slowing down.
rising-tone greeting needing no full answer
When Ravi walked into the pub, the bartender nodded and said, "Alright, love?"
Alright, Grandad? Mum says lunch will be ready in ten minutes.
- hi
neutral greeting; works in any English variety
- hey
casual; common in American English where 'alright?' is rare as a hello
- how's it going
longer casual greeting; expects a brief reply
文法句型
Alright?
Alright, [name]?
用法筆記
Used mainly in British English as a casual hello among friends, family, or neighbours. Distinguish from sense 2 (agreement): a greeting normally rises in tone like a question, while the agreement use falls in tone.
常見錯誤
2. said to show that you happily accept a plan, suggestion, or invitation — roughly
said to show that you happily accept a plan, suggestion, or invitation — roughly the same as a cheerful "yes" or "sure".
"Want to grab tacos after class?" "Alright, let's go to the place by the library."
alright = cheerful acceptance of an invitation
Mum asked if I could pick up Sofia from school, and I said, "Alright, no problem."
"Can we watch your film first?" "Alright, but mine had better not be cut short."
Alright, I'll meet you at the park gate at six o'clock sharp.
- no way
informal refusal of a plan
文法句型
Alright!
Alright, [clause]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6 (reluctant acceptance): this sense sounds happy or neutral, while sense 6 sounds tired or unwilling and is often drawn out as 'aaalright…'.
常見錯誤
3. spoken at the start of a sentence to make people pay attention or to give a gent
spoken at the start of a sentence to make people pay attention or to give a gentle warning — often used by teachers, parents, or coaches before telling the listener to settle down or behave.
Alright now, everyone back to your seats — the test starts in two minutes.
'Alright now' as a teacher's call to order
Alright, that's enough teasing your sister, Daniel — eat your dinner.
parental warning at sentence start
Coach Rivera clapped his hands and shouted, "Alright, lads, give me ten more push-ups!"
Alright, Ben, one more silly joke and you're going straight to bed.
文法句型
Alright now,
Alright, [imperative]
用法筆記
Often appears as 'Alright now' and is delivered with a slightly louder, firmer voice. Distinguish from sense 4 (comforting), which is gentle and softens the listener; this sense is firmer and tries to control behaviour.
常見錯誤
4. spoken in a soft, repeated way to calm someone who is upset, crying, or apologis
spoken in a soft, repeated way to calm someone who is upset, crying, or apologising, signalling that there is no need to keep worrying or saying sorry.
Alright, alright, sweetheart — the thunder can't get inside the house.
doubled 'alright, alright' to soothe a frightened child
Aunt Rosa hugged the crying boy and whispered, "Alright, Leo, the bee has flown away."
"I'm so sorry I broke your mug." "Alright, alright, it was just an old one anyway."
Alright, Mei, breathe slowly — the dog is on a lead and won't come near you.
- it's okay
very close; common in American English
- there there
old-fashioned soothing phrase, mostly to children
- no worries
casual; especially when accepting an apology
文法句型
Alright, alright,
Alright, [name]
用法筆記
Often doubled or tripled ('alright, alright' / 'alright, alright, alright') and spoken in a low, gentle voice. Distinguish from sense 5 (reluctant acceptance), which is also often doubled but sounds annoyed or tired rather than tender.
常見錯誤
5. said with a sigh or in a tired tone to give in to something you would rather not
said with a sigh or in a tired tone to give in to something you would rather not do, after the other person has kept asking or pushing you.
Oh, alright, I'll lend you twenty dollars — but please pay me back this time.
'Oh, alright' showing tired surrender
Alright, alright, Dilnoza, you can have one more chocolate before bed.
doubled 'alright, alright' as reluctant yes to a child
After ten minutes of begging from his nephew, Mr. Patel sighed, "Alright, we'll go to the zoo."
Alright, fine, I'll come to the karaoke party — but I'm leaving by ten.
- with pleasure
marks happy, willing acceptance
文法句型
Alright, alright,
Oh, alright,
用法筆記
Almost always carries a sigh or stretched vowel ('aaalright') and is often paired with 'oh', 'fine', or a repeated 'alright'. Distinguish from sense 2 (cheerful agreement): the speaker here would prefer to refuse but cannot keep saying no.
常見錯誤
alright — adverb
1. used after a verb to say that an action happened in a fine or acceptable way, th
used after a verb to say that an action happened in a fine or acceptable way, though without being especially good — for example, sleeping alright or doing alright on a test.
Tomás did alright on his maths exam, scoring just above the class average.
verb + alright = at an acceptable level
After the long flight, Camille slept alright once she changed pillows.
The old printer still works alright if you give it a small tap on the side.
Dilnoza sang alright at the school concert, though she wasn't the best in the choir.
- okay
same casual meaning; both adverbs in this slot
- well
more positive — 'well' suggests genuinely good, not just acceptable
- satisfactorily
much more formal; common in reports and reviews
- badly
the action was done poorly
文法句型
verb + alright
do/work/sleep + alright
用法筆記
Modifies a verb (sleep, do, work, sing) rather than a noun. Distinguish from the adjective sense, which follows 'be' and describes a person or situation: 'She is alright' (adj) vs 'She did alright' (adv).