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
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Mark finished with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting overall.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The former style has sewn-in square chambers with side walls, which helps keep the fill in place and tends to be a higher-quality construction overall.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
That’s thanks not only to overall market performance but consistent savings habits by 401(k) participants, Fidelity noted.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Somerset Academy with state runner-up finish in 2A Somerset Academy finished second overall in the 2A championship with 173 points.
—Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
Mark finished with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting overall.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Rams are sending a first-round pick — the 29th overall — and fifth- and sixth-round picks in this year’s draft and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for McDuffie.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The former style has sewn-in square chambers with side walls, which helps keep the fill in place and tends to be a higher-quality construction overall.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
While the eruption of two major features in the Norris Geyser Basin raised concerns among locals, USGS experts reassured that Yellowstone’s overall activity remains at a normal, background level.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
That’s thanks not only to overall market performance but consistent savings habits by 401(k) participants, Fidelity noted.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 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 Mar. 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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