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
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
But, overall, the number of states represented on the 2025 list fell to 38, from 40 last year.
—Ella Malmgren, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Goalie Josh Ravensbergen, taken 30th overall by San Jose in June, stopped 16 of 19 shots.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 13 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
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Adverb
Hale thinks the housing market overall is a bit healthier than the low level of sales might indicate, however.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
But, overall, the number of states represented on the 2025 list fell to 38, from 40 last year.
—Ella Malmgren, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
The 19-year-old D-man was taken in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2024 draft, heading for Moncton after seeing 19 games at the professional level in Sweden.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Goalie Josh Ravensbergen, taken 30th overall by San Jose in June, stopped 16 of 19 shots.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 13 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 19 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
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