overall

1 of 3

adverb

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

c

: with everyone or everything taken into account

was third overall in earnings

got 31 miles to the gallon overall

overall

2 of 3

noun

over·​all ˈō-vər-ˌȯl 

1

a

overalls ˈō-vər-ˌȯlz  plural, archaic : loose protective trousers worn over regular clothes

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

Illustration of overall

• overall 1b

overall

3 of 3

adjective

over·​all ˌō-vər-ˈȯl  ˈō-vər-ˌȯl 

1

: including everything

2

: viewed as a whole : general

Synonyms of overall

Adverb

• collectively
• generally
• broadly
• all around
• all in all
• together
• altogether

Adjective

• general
• generic

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

Adverb

Thomas, for so many years the understudy to his Team Sky teammate Froome, finally got his moment in the sun, winning back-to-back mountain stages, including stage 12 to Alpe d’Huez, to win the race overall. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Recent college graduates now face materially higher unemployment than the workforce overall, per research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in the exact entry-level roles that AI absorbs first. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Noun

Their edition, the eighth overall, will open in the fall 2027. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 23 July 2026

The lowest score came from The Guardian, which handed it two stars out of five, while Giant Bomb landed positive overall with a complaint that the boss fights lean on damage sponges more than puzzles. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Adjective

The country already spends one of the highest proportions of GDP on defence among NATO members and is simultaneously pursuing acquisitions such as F-35 fighter aircraft and new naval platforms to improve its overall military readiness. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

How might these specific traits impact the overall yak population and their habitat? — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overall

• the overall scheme of things

Rhymes for overall

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids 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 adjective

ˌō-və-ˈrȯl, 

ˈō-və-ˌrȯl

1

: including everything

overall expenses

2

: viewed as a whole : general