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
Haley Smilow, Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2026
Tariffs also produced low marks, with a 34% approval and 64% disapproval, though opinions of the president's handling of the economy overall was slightly higher, at a 41% approval and 57% disapproval.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Denim overalls, reptile wrangling, and a trailer in Alabama with no TV or internet.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Its California School Dashboard Guide provides understandable explanations of the dashboard’s ratings, both overall for the state’s 30 largest school districts and in detail for three districts.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
This spring, Susac’s goal is to chip away at weaknesses and improve overall.
—Haley Smilow, Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2026
Tariffs also produced low marks, with a 34% approval and 64% disapproval, though opinions of the president's handling of the economy overall was slightly higher, at a 41% approval and 57% disapproval.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
The program, which finished 28-2 overall and 14-0 in District 11-5A, boasts five-star Duke signee Bryson Howard and four-star SMU signee Cameron Lomax.
—Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Denim overalls, reptile wrangling, and a trailer in Alabama with no TV or internet.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The location right in the heart of the Qianhai financial district, which captures the city’s overall ascent from a humble fishing village to a thriving business and technological hub.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Its California School Dashboard Guide provides understandable explanations of the dashboard’s ratings, both overall for the state’s 30 largest school districts and in detail for three districts.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 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 28 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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