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

The new ParaBros is inheriting several lucrative IP assets from the Burbank lot shepherded by De Luca and Abdy — Ocean’s Eleven, Gremlins, Gladys, Minecraft 2 and more going forward, 38 features overall, dated into 2029. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2026

And only four times have the Royals had a winning record at the end of May and failed to achieve a winning season overall. — Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Noun

Reviews noted that the initial single and album title weren’t really indicative of the rest of the album, which was not ultimately heavy on dance-pop overall. — Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Read More $237 at Best Buy Fujifilm’s stylish Instax Mini Evo is the best instant camera overall. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Adjective

But each individual hat will be situated in a nonrepeating pattern that continues to change no matter how large the overall tiling is. — Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026

In that film session last Tuesday, the screen was loaded with the team’s overall game model as a reminder to players what each zone or area of the field should look like. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 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