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
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks Players drafted first overall in their draft class 1) are thought to have the highest ceiling and 2) are expected to hit that ceiling sooner.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025
The Mavericks did received a major stroke of luck by winning the NBA Draft Lottery and drafting Cooper Flagg at No. 1 overall.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Sure, the Dodgers entered Friday winners of 13 of their last 17, tied for the best overall record in baseball and leading the National League West by six games.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Howard’s stardom began with the Orlando Magic, who drafted him first overall out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2004.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks Players drafted first overall in their draft class 1) are thought to have the highest ceiling and 2) are expected to hit that ceiling sooner.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Noun
The best office chairs on Amazon can fix that, ranging from our favorite overall, Herman Miller’s Aeron Office Chair, to ergonomic beauties from Branch, Flexispot, and Haworth that come cosigned by AD staffers.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025
The Mavericks did received a major stroke of luck by winning the NBA Draft Lottery and drafting Cooper Flagg at No. 1 overall.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Adjective
The poll also found that nearly half of voters disapprove of Trump's overall handling of the U.S. economy.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Sure, the Dodgers entered Friday winners of 13 of their last 17, tied for the best overall record in baseball and leading the National League West by six games.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 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 13 Jul. 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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