samtlige

Samtlige is a determinative pronoun and adjective used in Scandinavian languages, chiefly Danish and Norwegian, to indicate totality or completeness. It functions like the English words "all," "every," or "entire," and is commonly employed to refer to a whole group without exception.

Usage typically places samtlige before a noun (samtlige medlemmer — "all members") or as a standalone pronoun (samtlige var til stede — "all were present"). The word is associated with a formal or neutral register and appears frequently in written, administrative, and legal contexts where precision about inclusivity is important.

A close cognate appears in Swedish as samtliga; all these forms trace their use within the North Germanic language family. Synonyms vary by language and register, including alle and hele in everyday speech. Grammatically, samtlige is used with plural agreement and does not mark gender, serving to emphasize that no members of the referenced set are excluded.

In translation and style, choosing samtlige often signals emphasis on completeness and is preferred when the speaker or writer intends to leave no ambiguity about whether any individuals or items are omitted.