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
Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The kids’ line spans a 1970s insulated overall for winter to classic vintage overalls and jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
The Hawks were 2-2 overall and had a 1-1 record in district so far, with wins against Crowley and Granbury this season.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
And Otto claims that the efficiencies gained from the aircraft’s small frame and design choices (including the removal of windows), reduce overall fuel burn by 60 percent compared to other jets of similar size.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Sports overall accounted for around 90% of trading volume.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The kids’ line spans a 1970s insulated overall for winter to classic vintage overalls and jeans.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
East Ridge fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Mounds View improved to 2-3 and 1-1.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
The Hawks were 2-2 overall and had a 1-1 record in district so far, with wins against Crowley and Granbury this season.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
And some items, though limited, have seen prices decline, including Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream, Montgomery Inn’s full rack of ribs, Pringles potato chips and Red and Blue Bicycle Playing cards (though a standard deck has risen 11% in line with the overall index.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
And Otto claims that the efficiencies gained from the aircraft’s small frame and design choices (including the removal of windows), reduce overall fuel burn by 60 percent compared to other jets of similar size.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 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 4 Oct. 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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