Altogether means completely, entirely, overall, or in total, depending on the sentence.
For example, “The two plans are altogether different” means they are completely different.
But don’t confuse altogether (one word) with all together (two words). The second expression describes people or things in one group or acting at the same time.
This guide explains the meanings, pronunciation, grammar rules, and examples so you can use both expressions correctly.
Altogether Meaning: Quick Answer
Altogether is an adverb with three main meanings.
| Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
| Completely or entirely | “The idea was altogether wrong.” |
| Overall or on the whole | “Altogether, it was a good experience.” |
| In total | “The tickets cost $80 altogether.” |
TL;DR
- Altogether means completely, overall, or in total.
- All together means in one group or at the same time.
- Altogether different means completely different.
- All together now means everyone should act at once.
- The phrase not altogether usually means not completely.
Memory trick: If completely, overall, or in total fits, you probably need altogether.
What Does Altogether Mean?
Altogether is an adverb used in three ways.
Completely: “They abandoned the project altogether.”
Overall: “Altogether, the conference was successful.”
In total: “There were 25 guests altogether.”
The meaning changes with context.
When expressing completeness, altogether often emphasizes an adjective or verb. When introducing an overall judgment, it commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence. When expressing a combined amount, it often appears at the end.
How to Pronounce Altogether
In American English, altogether is commonly pronounced:
IPA: /ˌɔːl.təˈɡeð.ɚ/
Simple pronunciation: awl-tuh-GETH-er
The main stress falls on GETH.
The words altogether and all together sound essentially the same in ordinary speech, so spelling depends on meaning rather than pronunciation.
For pronunciation examples, consult the Cambridge Dictionary.
Altogether vs All Together: What’s the Difference?
This is the most important distinction.
| Altogether | All Together |
|---|---|
| One word | Two words |
| An adverb | A two-word expression |
| Means completely, overall, or in total | Means in one group or simultaneously |
| “The plan was altogether wrong.” | “The students sat all together.” |
Compare:
“The family was all together for dinner.”
“The dinner cost $90 altogether.”
The first sentence describes a group. The second gives the combined price.
Quick test: Replace the expression with completely, overall, or in total. If one fits naturally, use altogether.
If you mean everyone or everything together, use all together.
Altogether Meaning Completely or Entirely
Altogether often emphasizes that something is complete or absolute.
Examples:
- “The proposal was altogether unrealistic.”
- “This is an altogether different problem.”
- “She stopped using the app altogether.”
In the final example, she completely stopped using the app.
This meaning is common with expressions such as altogether different, altogether unnecessary, and stop altogether.
It works in both everyday conversation and formal writing.
Altogether Meaning Overall or On the Whole
Altogether can introduce a general conclusion after considering several details.
For example:
“Altogether, the trip was enjoyable.”
This means the trip was enjoyable overall, even if some parts were imperfect.
Similar expressions include:
- Overall
- On the whole
- All things considered
- Taking everything into account
A comma usually follows altogether when it introduces this kind of summary.
This use is helpful in reviews, reports, and conclusions.
Altogether Meaning In Total
When discussing money, numbers, or quantities, altogether means in total.
Examples:
- “The groceries cost $75 altogether.”
- “There were 30 students altogether.”
- “We bought eight books altogether.”
In these sentences, the word expresses a combined amount.
For financial or technical writing, in total may be more direct, but altogether is natural in everyday American English.
What Does Not Altogether Mean?
The expression not altogether usually means not completely or not entirely.
For example:
“I’m not altogether convinced.”
This means the speaker still has doubts. It does not necessarily mean complete disagreement.
Compare:
- “I’m not altogether satisfied.” — I’m not completely satisfied.
- “I’m not satisfied at all.” — I’m completely dissatisfied.
The first statement is more qualified and may sound less forceful.
This construction is particularly useful when expressing cautious disagreement.
Altogether Synonyms and Similar Words
Choose a synonym based on the meaning.
| Synonym | Best Use |
|---|---|
| Completely | Full extent |
| Entirely | Whole extent |
| Totally | Full extent; often conversational |
| Fully | Complete degree |
| Overall | General assessment |
| On the whole | General conclusion |
| In total | Combined quantity |
| Collectively | Considered as a group |
For example, overall works in “Overall, the event was successful,” but not as a natural replacement in “She stopped altogether.”
The words overlap, but they are not universally interchangeable.
Altogether in Formal and Informal English
Altogether is standard English and works in both formal and informal contexts.
Formal: “The findings suggest an altogether different explanation.”
Informal: “We spent about $60 altogether.”
In academic writing, overall may be clearer when summarizing results, while in total may be more precise when reporting numerical data.
There is also an old-fashioned informal idiom, in the altogether, meaning without clothes. This idiom is uncommon and separate from the three main meanings.
Where Should Altogether Appear in a Sentence?
The position of altogether depends on its function.
Before an adjective:
“The solution was altogether impractical.”
After a verb phrase:
“They canceled the event altogether.”
At the beginning of a summary:
“Altogether, the results were encouraging.”
After a numerical total:
“The repairs cost $200 altogether.”
When altogether introduces a general conclusion, a comma helps separate it from the rest of the sentence.
Common Mistakes With Altogether
The most common mistake is confusing the one-word adverb with the two-word expression.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| “We were altogether at the party.” | “We were all together at the party.” |
| “The idea was all together wrong.” | “The idea was altogether wrong.” |
| “The tickets cost $75 all together.” | “The tickets cost $75 altogether.” |
| “They sang altogether.” | “They sang all together.” |
The last correction assumes you mean the singers performed simultaneously.
Remember: All together can describe people acting at the same time, even when they are not physically in the same place.
Altogether vs Completely vs Overall
These expressions overlap but have different primary uses.
| Expression | Main Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Altogether | Completeness, summary, or total | “Altogether, it went well.” |
| Completely | Full extent | “The answer was completely wrong.” |
| Overall | General assessment | “Overall, the results were positive.” |
| In total | Combined amount | “We spent $200 in total.” |
Use completely to emphasize degree, overall for a broad conclusion, and in total for a combined amount.
Altogether can express any of these meanings when the context makes it clear.
30 Examples of Altogether and All Together
Altogether Meaning Completely
- “The two proposals were altogether different.”
- “She stopped drinking soda altogether.”
- “The explanation was altogether misleading.”
- “We abandoned the project altogether.”
- “That assumption is altogether incorrect.”
- “She chose an altogether different career.”
- “The changes were altogether unexpected.”
- “The suggestion was altogether impractical.”
- “They removed the feature altogether.”
- “The final version was altogether better.”
Altogether Meaning Overall or In Total
- “Altogether, the vacation was wonderful.”
- “Altogether, the meeting went smoothly.”
- “The groceries cost $75 altogether.”
- “There were 18 participants altogether.”
- “Altogether, we learned several useful lessons.”
- “The repairs took six hours altogether.”
- “We received 200 donations altogether.”
- “Altogether, the performance was impressive.”
- “The three items cost $50 altogether.”
- “Altogether, the experience was worthwhile.”
All Together Meaning In One Group or Simultaneously
- “The children stood all together.”
- “We celebrated the holiday all together.”
- “The musicians played all together.”
- “The family was all together for dinner.”
- “Please place the documents all together.”
- “The students answered all together.”
- “They walked into the room all together.”
- “The volunteers worked all together on the project.”
- “The guests sat all together.”
- “We took a photograph all together.”
Six-Question Altogether Practice Quiz
Choose the correct expression.
1. The two designs were _____ different.
A. Altogether
B. All together
2. The students stood _____ for the class photo.
A. Altogether
B. All together
3. The supplies cost $90 _____.
A. Altogether
B. All together
4. She stopped using the service _____.
A. All together
B. Altogether
5. _____, the event was successful.
A. Altogether
B. All together
6. The singers performed _____.
A. Altogether
B. All together
Answers and Explanations
| Question | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A — Altogether | Means completely different |
| 2 | B — All together | Means in one group |
| 3 | A — Altogether | Means in total |
| 4 | B — Altogether | Means completely |
| 5 | A — Altogether | Means overall |
| 6 | B — All together | Means performing as a group |
Copyable Answer Key: 1-A, 2-B, 3-A, 4-B, 5-A, 6-B
Altogether Meaning FAQs
1. What does altogether mean?
Altogether means completely, entirely, overall, or in total, depending on context.
2. Is altogether one word or two?
Altogether is one word. All together is a separate two-word expression.
3. What is the difference between altogether and all together?
Altogether expresses completeness, a summary, or a total. All together describes people or things grouped together or acting simultaneously.
4. Can altogether mean completely?
Yes. “She stopped altogether” means she stopped completely.
5. Can altogether mean in total?
Yes. “The tickets cost $100 altogether” means their combined cost was $100.
6. What does not altogether mean?
It means not completely or not entirely. “I’m not altogether sure” expresses some uncertainty.
7. Is altogether formal or informal?
It is standard English and works in both formal and informal writing.
8. How can I remember altogether vs all together?
Use altogether for completeness, a general conclusion, or a total. Use all together when people or things are grouped or acting at the same time.
Final Takeaway
The meaning of altogether depends on context, but its three main uses are easy to remember:
- Completely: “The situation was altogether different.”
- Overall: “Altogether, the trip was enjoyable.”
- In total: “We spent $80 altogether.”
Use all together when describing people or things gathered or acting as a group.
Reliable References