alltime

Alltime is a term used as a compound adjective or adverb to describe something that spans the entire period of time up to the present or to designate the greatest or most extreme example in history. In standard usage, it is often hyphenated before a noun (all-time record, all-time high) to indicate a result or status that is unmatched within the historical window being referenced.

Etymology and form: The expression derives from the combination of all and time. While the concept is ancient, the hyphenated all-time form became common in modern style guides to signal a single, composite descriptor. Some editors also encounter the two-word variant all time, usually in more general phrases rather than before a noun.

Contexts and usage: All-time is widely used in sports, finance, entertainment, and data analysis to mark records, rankings, or achievements considered the best or most extreme across the history of a field. Examples include all-time records, all-time highs, or all-time greats. The precise meaning depends on the defined scope—how far back in history the analysis extends and which data are included.

Usage notes: The phrase is inherently relative and may invite debate over scope and criteria. The expression “for all time” means forever, while “the best of all time” is a longer idiom that can be used less formally. Editors often stress clear definition of the time frame and data set when presenting all-time claims.

See also: all-time high, all-time low, all-time list, greatest of all time, record list.