overall

1 of 3

adverb

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

c

: with everyone or everything taken into account

was third overall in earnings

got 31 miles to the gallon overall

overall

2 of 3

noun

over·​all ˈō-vər-ˌȯl 

1

a

overalls ˈō-vər-ˌȯlz  plural, archaic : loose protective trousers worn over regular clothes

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

Illustration of overall

• overall 1b

overall

3 of 3

adjective

over·​all ˌō-vər-ˈȯl  ˈō-vər-ˌȯl 

1

: including everything

2

: viewed as a whole : general

Synonyms of overall

Adverb

• collectively
• generally
• broadly
• all around
• all in all
• together
• altogether

Adjective

• general
• generic

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

Adverb

Around 1,200 agents overall exchanged more than 70,000 messages and files through an unauthorized message board, coordinating ways to game a hacking evaluation. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Park will oversee development, production, partnerships and expansion across Asia-Pacific while continuing to lead IP development for Utopai Studios overall. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

With 29 wins in the previous three seasons and a 47-29 record overall at MU as of Thursday night, Drinkwitz has fulfilled plenty to date. — Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

The Denver Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft (37th overall) but traded him to the Detroit Lions after his rookie season. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Streamers like Netflix are also increasingly filming abroad while producing fewer shows overall. — Sam Roseme, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Mueller caught a four yard pass in his college debut, and PFF graded his overall work 12th among 28. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overall

• the overall scheme of things

Rhymes for overall

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids 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 adjective

ˌō-və-ˈrȯl, 

ˈō-və-ˌrȯl

1

: including everything

overall expenses

2

: viewed as a whole : general