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
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Each of these top three candidates has raised more than $1 million, as more than $8 million has been raised overall in the race, according to the Federal Election Commission.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Netflix’s Running Point grew in the week after its season two premiere, growing about 17 percent to 900 million minutes and finishing second overall.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
In some markets, labor can now account for a substantial portion of the overall bill.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Kuwatch, also coming off a career year at Miami (Ohio) University, was taken 227th overall by the Panthers.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Each of these top three candidates has raised more than $1 million, as more than $8 million has been raised overall in the race, according to the Federal Election Commission.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Noun
Sierra Canyon finished this season 24-7 overall and went 13-4 in the Mission League.
—Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Netflix’s Running Point grew in the week after its season two premiere, growing about 17 percent to 900 million minutes and finishing second overall.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Adjective
The overall cost of each package wouldn’t be dissimilar, and Gordon, 25, is a few years younger than the 28-year-old Rashford.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
In some markets, labor can now account for a substantial portion of the overall bill.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 May 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 3 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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