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
Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Here’s a full breakdown of where things stand in the tournament overall and for the 10 Panthers now that pool play is complete.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
He was drafted third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
—Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
These participants also performed better on tests of overall cognitive function, the report noted.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
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
In 2025, Walmart gained more than 23%, while consumer staples overall were essentially flat.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
Here’s a full breakdown of where things stand in the tournament overall and for the 10 Panthers now that pool play is complete.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
With the win, the Trojans improve to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
He was drafted third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
—Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
By the way, for context, the adjustments amount to a sliver (tenths of a percentage point) of overall employment.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
These participants also performed better on tests of overall cognitive function, the report noted.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
