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, 4 Jan. 2026
Young completed 24 of 35 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and an interception overall.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 3, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2026
Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
The primary suit is flimsy and the hand too weak overall, but the conditions are near-perfect for aggressive preemption, so that might not stop me.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft out of Duke, Flagg currently ranks first among rookies in total points (652), second in total rebounds (218), second in total assists (139), second in total steals (41) and third in total blocks (27).
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Pearsall has been slowed by a knee injury and missed his eighth game overall this season despite being limited in practice all week.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Young completed 24 of 35 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and an interception overall.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 3, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
Stone’s nomination marks her sixth overall for the Critics Choice Awards, following her 2024 Best Actress win for her role in Lanthimos’ Poor Things.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
The primary suit is flimsy and the hand too weak overall, but the conditions are near-perfect for aggressive preemption, so that might not stop me.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
In other words, our complexion is looking pallid, our skin is dry, and our overall appearance is just a little blah at the moment.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
Drafted with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft out of Duke, Flagg currently ranks first among rookies in total points (652), second in total rebounds (218), second in total assists (139), second in total steals (41) and third in total blocks (27).
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 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 Jan. 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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