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Definitions

the whole nine yards

ADVERB
flat-out
Synonyms
WEAK
all the way all-out at a good clip for all one's worth full blast head over heels in full gallop lickety-split to the max unrestrainedly wide open without reservation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I'm chasing the companies that make those servers that go sit in those data centres, the companies that make the entire air conditioning, the water-cooling system -- the whole nine yards."

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

"Leader, cheerleader, athletic, the whole nine yards," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2022

I'm talking pithy smoked meat-themed aprons, very strong thoughts on marbling and smoke, the whole nine yards.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2022

I do joke that we’ve all become Shakers, but nobody is trying to actually go the whole nine yards and move up to Sabbathday Lake in Maine.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2022

I was raised in church — Sunday school, bell choir, church choir, vacation Bible school, youth group, work camp, the whole nine yards.

From Washington Post • Oct. 26, 2021