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
Sean Conlon, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Through seven practices the Dallas defense has had the upper hand on the offense overall.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 July 2025
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Ahead of the game's release, EA has slowly started revealing overalls for countless players across the league.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
The sixth overall pick of the Mariners in 2014, Jackson is a career .143 hitter (139 games) and has bounced between the Reds, Yankees and Orioles since the end of last season.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Put differently, last month’s jobs report would’ve been negative overall if the health-care group were to be excluded.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Through seven practices the Dallas defense has had the upper hand on the offense overall.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Noun
The Reds’ defensive shortcomings — they’re ranked No. 20 overall by Sports Info Solutions — are less short with Hayes on the right side.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Ahead of the game's release, EA has slowly started revealing overalls for countless players across the league.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
Rodriguez-Kennedy in particular wants to invest in outreach to Latino and Asian communities, on top of an overall revamp of communications and outreach.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
The sixth overall pick of the Mariners in 2014, Jackson is a career .143 hitter (139 games) and has bounced between the Reds, Yankees and Orioles since the end of last season.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 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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