Pronunciation: [ˈɔːlmə͡ʊst ˈɔːl] (IPA) 
The phrase "almost all" is commonly misspelled as "allmost all". The correct spelling of this phrase is derived from its pronunciation. The first syllable "al" is pronounced as /ˈɔːl/, which is why it is spelled with an "a" instead of an "o". The second syllable "most" is pronounced as /məʊst/ with a long "o" sound. Therefore, the correct spelling is "almost all" with an "a" and not "allmost all" with an "o".
Almost all is a phrase that denotes a large majority or nearly all of a particular group, category, or quantity. It indicates an almost complete inclusion or coverage, with only a small or insignificant portion remaining excluded. The term emphasizes a very high proportion or close approximation to the entirety.
In various contexts, almost all signifies a significant majority but allows for a small number or portion to be exceptions. It implies that the overwhelming majority or the greatest part of a given set or population falls into a certain classification or meets specific criteria. However, a few outliers or exceptions may exist that do not adhere to the described characteristics.
For instance, when addressing a group of people, saying "almost all" would imply that the vast majority, perhaps 90% or more, fall into a certain category or share certain attributes, while a small portion, typically less than 10%, may vary or differ in some way.
In summary, almost all denotes an extremely high proportion or nearly complete quantity, while recognizing that there may be a small percentage or few instances that deviate from the majority or generalization being made.
The word "almost" originated from the Old English word "ealmǣst", which means "nearly, mostly". It is a combination of "eal", meaning "all" or "entire", and "mǣst", meaning "most" or "greatest". The word "all" can be traced back to the Old English word "all", derived from the Proto-Germanic root "*alnaz". Similarly, the word "all" has cognates in other Germanic languages such as German "all", Dutch "al", and Gothic "alls". Therefore, the etymology of "almost all" lies in the Old English and Proto-Germanic roots.
