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

This is happening, moreover, against the background of rising demand for electricity overall. — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The show’s only performance nominee this year ended up being Connor Storrie, a nomination that can easily be chalked up to his notoriety for Heated Rivalry and to make up for Heated Rivalry being ineligible overall. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Adjective

But forecasts are growing more confident in an overall lack of storms by the month. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Donaldson -- who shot 8 for 12 overall and 3 for 4 on threes - took over in the fourth and reached 20 points for the second time in Miami’s final three games in Las Vegas. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 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