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
Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The Nets also received the rights to swingman Drake Powell from the Atlanta Hawks, who was selected 22nd overall.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 June 2025
The Rockies, 18-61 overall, have yet to win back-to-back games at Coors this season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
John Walkup, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
According to an analysis from the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government, this will boost overall participation and reduce racial and economic disparities.
—Sharon Sewell-Fairman, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
And given pick No. 24 is roughly the midpoint of that conveyance range, there’s essentially a 50/50 chance that the 2027 selection ends up being higher or lower than 24th overall.
—Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The Nets also received the rights to swingman Drake Powell from the Atlanta Hawks, who was selected 22nd overall.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
The first season sat atop Netflix’s top ten for nearly a month, within the top ten overall for more than two months, and generated 265.2 million views.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 June 2025
The Rockies, 18-61 overall, have yet to win back-to-back games at Coors this season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
Adjective
Today’s market is neither hot nor cold, so the present asking price decay curve likely resembles the overall average.
—John Walkup, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
According to an analysis from the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government, this will boost overall participation and reduce racial and economic disparities.
—Sharon Sewell-Fairman, New York Daily News, 16 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 30 Jun. 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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