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
Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Morris also observed that executive turnover among Musk’s direct reports at Tesla is 44%, compared to about 9% at Meta, Amazon, and Netflix; overall, Tesla’s executive turnover rate is 27%, nearly double the industry average.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Channing Tindall 102nd overall.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Still, experts say omega-3s, in foods like salmon and walnuts, can benefit overall health.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
The Office for National Statistics data below is for the United Kingdom overall, rather than simply England.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Morris also observed that executive turnover among Musk’s direct reports at Tesla is 44%, compared to about 9% at Meta, Amazon, and Netflix; overall, Tesla’s executive turnover rate is 27%, nearly double the industry average.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Ducks’ will include 2024’s third-overall pick, forward Beckett Sennecke of the Oshawa Generals.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Channing Tindall 102nd overall.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Here, these dishes are prepared with less sauce (not a bad thing) and overall salt than at Taipei South, despite having the same ownership.
—Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
Still, experts say omega-3s, in foods like salmon and walnuts, can benefit overall health.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 5 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 9 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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