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
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
Some were a little thrown off by the vegetable note, but overall, most felt like this one was a good balance of sweet and sour.
—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
3 July 2026
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Drafted 77th overall, McClellan is projected to anchor the nose tackle position in the new 3-4 scheme, with coaches praising his versatility, size, and advanced football IQ as a potential difference-maker.
—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Latif Love,
Kansas City Star,
5 July 2026
Pogačar is the overall favorite thanks to his Tour victories in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025, as well as his strong form this year.
—
ABC News,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Last week, Seymour held KC hitless through six innings in a game at Tampa Bay — a contest in which the Royals had one hit overall, in the ninth inning.
—
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
Some were a little thrown off by the vegetable note, but overall, most felt like this one was a good balance of sweet and sour.
—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
3 July 2026
Noun
Last week, Ohio became the 23rd state overall and seventh over the last six months to sanction girls’ flag football.
—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Drafted 77th overall, McClellan is projected to anchor the nose tackle position in the new 3-4 scheme, with coaches praising his versatility, size, and advanced football IQ as a potential difference-maker.
—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Adjective
One of the bright spots for Oklahoma City was rookie guard Bennett Stirtz, whom the Thunder selected with the 16th overall pick in the recent draft — after giving up two second-round picks and making a pick-swap with the Grizzlies to do so.
—
Latif Love,
Kansas City Star,
5 July 2026
Pogačar is the overall favorite thanks to his Tour victories in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025, as well as his strong form this year.
—
ABC News,
4 July 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 6 Jul. 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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