What Does All Year Round Mean?

All Year Round Meaning

Definition: Used to refer to something that takes place all year long.

The phrase all year round refers to something that occurs throughout the entire year. Unlike many idiomatic English phrases, the meaning of all year round is fairly clear even out of context.

Origin of All Year Round

There is little information on the first use of this phrase. However, it is thought to have originated in 1917, from the longer phrase all the year round. It is speculated that the shortened version was first used in 1948.

Ways to Use All Year Round

Define all year aroundThis phrase can be shortened to year-round, all year, or all year long. All variations of this phrase have the same meaning and can be used to refer to any event taking place throughout the year.

All year round can also be used to refer to a type of schedule in some American schools. Most American schools are in session for 180 days – with a short break for Christmas – and then students have the summer months off. In year-round schools, students attend school all year long and are given breaks every 9 weeks.

However, the phrase can be used to refer to any event that takes place all year.

Examples of All Year Round

all the year roundThis sample conversation between a teenage girl and her mother illustrates the correct use of this phrase.

Mom: Your new school has a year-round schedule. That means you’ll go to school for 45 days and then have 3 weeks off instead of getting the whole summer off.

Daughter: But I don’t want to go to school all year round! I want to have a break in the summer!

More Examples

  • It would be like Burning Man all year round, Hsieh hoped. – NY Post
  • She continued that we should change the way we view ourselves and work on our body so we feel strong, healthy, and vibrant all year round. – MSN

Summary

The English phrase all year round refers to something that occurs throughout the year or all year long.

Contents