by all means

Of course, proceed

By all means is an emphatic way of granting permission or expressing encouragement—stronger than "yes" or "sure": By all means, help yourself.

It can also emphasize determination or completeness: We must by all means finish before dark.

The phrase suggests that no obstacle should prevent the action.

emphasis

absolutely

Completely, without exception

certainlyWithout any doubt
definitelyWith complete certainty
indeedWord affirming emphasis

surely · undoubtedly · unquestionably · without doubt · positively · assuredly · emphatically · decidedly · without fail · no matter what

encouragement

go ahead

Permission to begin

absolutelyCompletely, without exception
of courseExpression of obvious agreement
certainlyWithout any doubt

definitely · sure thing · without hesitation · feel free · no problem · gladly · willingly · happily · unreservedly · wholeheartedly

permission

yes

Opposite of no

grantedGiven or allowed officially
approvedOfficially accepted or permitted
allowedGranted permission to proceed

permitted · authorized · sanctioned · consented · agreed · accepted · cleared · endorsed · confirmed · assented

Categories

affirmativesyes, yeah, yep, yup, absolutely
agreementagree, accord, yes, yeah, yep
phrasesnoun phrases, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, prepositional phrases
polite phrasesplease, thank you, yes sir, hello, no sir
agreement wordsyes, okay, agree, agreed, accord
affirmationsyes, yeah, yep, okay, sure

Opposites

permission and encouragement

by all meansby no means

Expression of emphatic denial

absolutely not · certainly not · no way · under no circumstances · not at all

degree of endorsement

by all meansreluctantly

With obvious unwillingness

hesitantly · grudgingly · I guess · begrudgingly · half-heartedly

Family

mean, all, means, meaning, meaningful, meantime, meaningless

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G