Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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adj
Of or pertaining to a description or other depiction which reveals the full range of characteristics of a person or thing, including the shortcomings and imperfections.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, informal, not-comparable
Qualifier: often hyphenated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adv
In a manner which does not conceal shortcomings or imperfections.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, informal, not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
In 1653, an artist, Samuel Cooper, was asked to paint Oliver Cromwell’s portrait. Cromwell preferred the portrait to be shown with “pimples, warts and everything” (i.e., to include any defects and imperfections). Over time, this phrase has come to be shortened to “warts and all”.
Across languages
10 source translations are retained for this English entry.
