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
CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Both studies found that while sports betting access overall didn't lead to significant changes in bankruptcy filings, the 2025 study found that online access did.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Detroit has a 40-29-8 record overall and a 20-15-3 record on its home ice.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
But Morath has cited the district’s overall below-average performance on the STAAR exams, which will need to improve before the state will return local control.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
What does removing someone like him do to the officer ranks and to the rank and file overall?
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Both studies found that while sports betting access overall didn't lead to significant changes in bankruptcy filings, the 2025 study found that online access did.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Jaquez’s brother, Jaime, who was in attendance for the championship game, also had a storied career at UCLA and went on to be drafted 18th overall in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Detroit has a 40-29-8 record overall and a 20-15-3 record on its home ice.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Earlier in the day, the House narrowly approved the state’s overall Medicaid budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
But Morath has cited the district’s overall below-average performance on the STAAR exams, which will need to improve before the state will return local control.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overall. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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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