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
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Trump has been pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and his tariffs provide Democrats with a tangible point to blame him for the rising cost of living, even if their actual effect on prices overall is somewhat disputed.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent denim pieces have included 1950s Big Smith overalls with original repairs, a pair of 1960s selvedge jeans from Foremost, a two-tone 1950s Lee 101-J jacket and 1960s carpenter jeans from Carter’s and Sears, the latter lined with fleece.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025
Public schools in particular have become so reliant on bond sales to fund salaries and services that overall school debt more than doubled from 2002 to 2019, rising to $500 billion.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
James’ off-court earnings have exceeded his team salary since he was drafted first overall in 2003 and joined the Cleveland Cavaliers armed with a $90 million Nike deal, plus sponsor deals with Coca-Cola and Upper Deck.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Trump has been pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and his tariffs provide Democrats with a tangible point to blame him for the rising cost of living, even if their actual effect on prices overall is somewhat disputed.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Crews wear thermal base layers, overalls, and analog spacesuits when working outdoors.
—Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent denim pieces have included 1950s Big Smith overalls with original repairs, a pair of 1960s selvedge jeans from Foremost, a two-tone 1950s Lee 101-J jacket and 1960s carpenter jeans from Carter’s and Sears, the latter lined with fleece.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Pakko acknowledged the challenges row-crop farmers are facing and how that contributed to his predictions for the overall Arkansas economy.
—Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025
Public schools in particular have become so reliant on bond sales to fund salaries and services that overall school debt more than doubled from 2002 to 2019, rising to $500 billion.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 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 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share