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
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Each of these top three candidates has raised more than $1 million, as more than $8 million has been raised overall in the race, according to the Federal Election Commission.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
His Trojans went 216-131 overall and played in the postseason 4 times (the 1979 NCAA playoffs, 1973 NIT and 1974 and 1975 Commissioner’s Conference tourney).
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
New Atlas, 3 June 2026
The award was the second of 23-year-old Kurtz’s young career, and his fourth overall monthly award.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
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Adverb
Kuwatch, also coming off a career year at Miami (Ohio) University, was taken 227th overall by the Panthers.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Each of these top three candidates has raised more than $1 million, as more than $8 million has been raised overall in the race, according to the Federal Election Commission.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Noun
This was the third Falcon Heavy launch of 2023 and seventh overall.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
His Trojans went 216-131 overall and played in the postseason 4 times (the 1979 NCAA playoffs, 1973 NIT and 1974 and 1975 Commissioner’s Conference tourney).
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Adjective
The interior is finished in Siberian spruce, with oak panel flooring, which is a luxurious upgrade from the vinyl usually seen even in high-end tiny houses, and helps its overall appearance seem closer to a wooden cabin than a typical modern tiny house.
—New Atlas, 3 June 2026
The award was the second of 23-year-old Kurtz’s young career, and his fourth overall monthly award.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overall. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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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