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
Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
The latest Betfair results indicate very little change in terms of the odds after Thursday's debate, with Mamdani remaining the strong favorite to win overall in November.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Entering this game, the Cougars are tied for fourth in the Big 12 with a 2-1 conference record, with the team sitting at 5-1 overall.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Around the full moon, participants experienced a 30 percent drop in deep-sleep brain activity, took five minutes longer to fall asleep, and slept 20 minutes less overall.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
If the second camp was right, there needed to be so little matter, overall, that dark matter — despite the clear evidence — would be an impossibility.
—Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
The latest Betfair results indicate very little change in terms of the odds after Thursday's debate, with Mamdani remaining the strong favorite to win overall in November.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
The formula works not just to lighten discoloration, but also to visibly shrink and smooth the look of spots for a more even, luminous complexion overall.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Entering this game, the Cougars are tied for fourth in the Big 12 with a 2-1 conference record, with the team sitting at 5-1 overall.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
But while set-piece goals are up, the overall number of goals scored has fallen significantly.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Around the full moon, participants experienced a 30 percent drop in deep-sleep brain activity, took five minutes longer to fall asleep, and slept 20 minutes less overall.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 16 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 19 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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