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
Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Young said some patients may have skin irritation or infection around the site of the implant, but overall, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
This is the third straight World Cup appearance and seventh overall for Tunisia.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Dec. 2025
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
This is an especially positive sign in a year where Black Friday falls later in the calendar and when the pre-Christmas period looks especially poised for a significant spike in overall visits.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
The investigations found a multitude of factors were to blame for each incident, but overall, the recommendations in the investigations include service members better adhering to Navy processes, especially in a combat environment.
—Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Young said some patients may have skin irritation or infection around the site of the implant, but overall, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
Patterson said crime between January and November is down 9% in Charlotte overall.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
This is the third straight World Cup appearance and seventh overall for Tunisia.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Its Escondido hospital includes a busy trauma center that is a key part of the region’s overall trauma system, as is its emergency department, which draws patients from throughout the region.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
This is an especially positive sign in a year where Black Friday falls later in the calendar and when the pre-Christmas period looks especially poised for a significant spike in overall visits.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 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 8 Dec. 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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