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
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Yet the 25 percent death rate at the North’s worst prison, in Elmira, New York, came close to that at Andersonville (29 percent); overall, the mortality rate was 16 percent for Union prisoners and 12 percent for Confederates.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
He was drafted third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
—Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
These participants also performed better on tests of overall cognitive function, the report noted.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
But overall, the Seahawks’ run game is far from intimidating, ranking 14th by DVOA and even worse by other advanced metrics, mostly due to an average offensive line with clear weak spots.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Yet the 25 percent death rate at the North’s worst prison, in Elmira, New York, came close to that at Andersonville (29 percent); overall, the mortality rate was 16 percent for Union prisoners and 12 percent for Confederates.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
With the win, the Trojans improve to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
He was drafted third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
—Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
By the way, for context, the adjustments amount to a sliver (tenths of a percentage point) of overall employment.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
These participants also performed better on tests of overall cognitive function, the report noted.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 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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