Illustration of overall
- overall 1b
over·all
ˌō-vər-ˈȯl 
1
: all over sense 1
the pattern used overall
2
: from one end to the other
600 feet long overall
3
a
: in view of all the circumstances or conditions
overall, the sale was a success
b
: as a whole : generally
doesn't do as well overall
overall and in most of its detail the film has remarkable power—
Time
Time
c
: with everyone or everything taken into account
was third overall in earnings
got 31 miles to the gallon overall
over·all
ˈō-vər-ˌȯl
1
a
b
usually overalls
: trousers of strong material usually with a bib and shoulder straps
2
chiefly British
: a loose-fitting protective smock worn over regular clothing
over·all
ˌō-vər-ˈȯl
ˈō-vər-ˌȯl
ˈō-vər-ˌȯl
1
: including everything
2
: viewed as a whole : general
Examples of overall in a Sentence
Adverb
He made a few mistakes but did well overall.
Overall, the project was successful.
Adjective
your overall score after two rounds
His mistake didn't change my overall impression of him.
Your overall health is sound.
She likes the overall quality of the product.
The scratch didn't affect the car's overall appearance.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Johnson, the independent analyst, said seniors may benefit far less from the inflation adjustment in 2026 than in previous years, thanks to rising medical costs overall.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent denim pieces have included 1950s Big Smith overalls with original repairs, a pair of 1960s selvedge jeans from Foremost, a two-tone 1950s Lee 101-J jacket and 1960s carpenter jeans from Carter’s and Sears, the latter lined with fleece.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, the timing fits well with the overall industry trend of electrifying the oilfield and transitioning away from dirtier diesel power.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale has, overall, served the club well as a temporary home in its first six seasons in MLS, but there were a couple of thousand empty seats in the 21,550-capacity venue for a playoff game featuring one of the game’s greats.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Johnson, the independent analyst, said seniors may benefit far less from the inflation adjustment in 2026 than in previous years, thanks to rising medical costs overall.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Crews wear thermal base layers, overalls, and analog spacesuits when working outdoors.
—Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent denim pieces have included 1950s Big Smith overalls with original repairs, a pair of 1960s selvedge jeans from Foremost, a two-tone 1950s Lee 101-J jacket and 1960s carpenter jeans from Carter’s and Sears, the latter lined with fleece.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
But Thiago has converted five of eight overall, with his conversion rate (63 per cent) the highest among players to have five or more big chances.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, the timing fits well with the overall industry trend of electrifying the oilfield and transitioning away from dirtier diesel power.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overall. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overall
1 of 2 adverb
over·all
ˌō-və-ˈrȯl
: as a whole : generally
we find your work satisfactory, overall
overall
2 of 2 adjectiveˌō-və-ˈrȯl,
ˈō-və-ˌrȯl
1
: including everything
overall expenses
2
: viewed as a whole : general
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