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
Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 16 June 2026
Charles scored the final seven points of the first half and went 5 of 7 from the floor overall with two 3-pointers for Golden State, helping the Valkyries build a 45-26 lead at the break.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
CBS News, 11 June 2026
Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four games of the final and the ninth overall.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
The Kings have the seventh overall pick in a draft that has been touted as one of the best in recent memory, drawing comparisons to the legendary 1996 and 2003 draft classes.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Four in 10 people who listen to Joe Rogan and other influencers on the right agree, compared with just 28% of Republicans overall.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 16 June 2026
Charles scored the final seven points of the first half and went 5 of 7 from the floor overall with two 3-pointers for Golden State, helping the Valkyries build a 45-26 lead at the break.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
Noun
The White Sox have won seven straight at home and nine of 13 overall, including two straight against the major league-best Braves.
—CBS News, 11 June 2026
Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four games of the final and the ninth overall.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Adjective
The findings indicate that bird-watching and similar hobbies may support overall brain health, though researchers stop short of saying the activity definitively halts cognitive decline.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
The Kings have the seventh overall pick in a draft that has been touted as one of the best in recent memory, drawing comparisons to the legendary 1996 and 2003 draft classes.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 June 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 19 Jun. 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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