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
Stephen Kent, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
After making 20 starts (22 appearances overall) in 2024, Soriano became an anchor of the Angels’ rotation this season.
—Andrew Wagner, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Southeastern Louisiana finished second in the Southland Conference in 2024 at 6-1 but was just 7-5 overall.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This may seem trivial, but Brümate’s coolers almost look too pretty to knock around, and indeed dropping them on my driveway did create some scuffs that took away from the overall sleek aesthetic.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
Small numbers overall, but enough to incense the country.
—Stephen Kent, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
After making 20 starts (22 appearances overall) in 2024, Soriano became an anchor of the Angels’ rotation this season.
—Andrew Wagner, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
New York is 9-1 in their last 10 in the series against the spread and the Chiefs are 1-5 in their last six overall against the number.
—Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Southeastern Louisiana finished second in the Southland Conference in 2024 at 6-1 but was just 7-5 overall.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Drafted 11th overall in 2015, Kopitar leads his draft class in games played (1,454) and is second to Sidney Crosby in points (1,278).
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This may seem trivial, but Brümate’s coolers almost look too pretty to knock around, and indeed dropping them on my driveway did create some scuffs that took away from the overall sleek aesthetic.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 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 24 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share